BHUBANESWAR: Following the moratorium on Bt brinjal, the draconian clauses of the proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) bill have invited sharp criticism from scientific community of Orissa and the surprising hurry with which the Centre is planning to pass it.

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has put a moratorium on Bt brinjal with the Cry1Ac gene. But following fresh discussions on the wisdom of the ban, scientists are betting their hopes on a different Bt brinjal

The story of genetically modified foods doesn't stop at the government's decision to say no to Bt Brinjal. It has taken an extremely curious turn since to touch on questions of freedom of expression and the right to information. For instance, a new draft bill, the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill (BRAB), would outlaw all criticism of genetically modified products.

THANJAVUR: Biotechnology holds the key for ensuring food security of the world in future, said T.Padmanabhan, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University, here on Thursday.

A TUSSLE is on in the government over where to park the National Biotechnology Authority of India. Environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said that his department or the health ministry were better suited to be the nodal agency for the autonomous authority.

Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh has cast himself as a lonely crusader for the environmental cause within the government, with no support from any quarter except the Prime Minister and the UPA chairperson.