New Delhi | 4 days ago
India is sharply divided over introduction of Bt Brinjal
New Delhi, Feb 9 - With Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's final decision on commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal expected Wednesday, Indian scientists, politicians and environmental actitivists remain sharply divided over the issue of allowing the genetically modified vegetable to hit the market.Bt Brinjal is a trans-genic brinjal created by inserting a gene - from the soil bacterium Bacillus t ... read more

New Delhi | 14 days ago
Explained: The ruckus over Bt Brinjal
New Delhi, Jan 30 - Bt Brinjal, a genetically modified version of the common vegetable, and its proposed introduction in India has become a topic of debate not only among scientists but politicians as well. A look at what the issues at stake are:Bt Brinjal is a trans-genic brinjal created by inserting a gene - from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis - into brinjal. The insertion of the gene ... read more

14 days ago
Bt Brinjal violates our right to safe food, say youngsters
New Delhi, Jan 30 - 'Better fast today, than eat GM food tomorrow', so said the banners held up by youngsters protesting against the possible introduction of genetically modified Bt Brinjal for commercial cultivation. Nayani Nasa of 'Youth for Safe Food' group said: 'We have the right to safe food and genetically modified - food likes the Bt Brinjal violates that. The multinationals have been wo ... read more

14 days ago
Scientists, farmers fast to protest Bt Brinjal
Kolkata, Jan 30 - A group of scientists, academicians and farmers observed a day's protest fast at the Kolkata Book Fair Saturday against the possible release of genetically modified crop Bt Brinjal for commercial cultivation. 'The volunteers from Green Peace, city-based green body Development Research Communication and Services Centre - and the farmers of an organisation called Seva participate ... read more

16 days ago
One-day fast against Bt Brinjal across India
Kolkata, Jan 28 - Some scientists, academics, members of civil society groups and farmers across India will observe a one-day fast Saturday to protest against the possible release of the genetically modified crop Bt Brinjal for commercial cultivation. The central environment ministry is now holding public consultations in various Indian cities to decide if it will allow commercial release. Last ... read more

17 days ago
Bt Brinjal cleared without proper tests: Scientist
New Delhi, Jan 27 - Leading molecular biologist Pushpa Bhargava Wednesday said India's biotech regulatior had cleared genetically modified brinjal for commercial release without all the tests that should have been carried out. 'According to the international scientific community, some 30 tests should be done before any GMO - release. In the case of Bt Brinjal less than a dozen of these were cond ... read more

17 days ago
No pressure from PMO on Bt Brinjal: Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi, Jan 27 - Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh Wednesday denied he was under pressure 'to approve the commercial release of genetically modified brinjal' as alleged by a renowned molecular scientist. Pushpa Bhargava, the scientist who is also the Supreme Court appointee in the country's biotech regulator, alleged at a seminar that Jairam was under 'tremendous pressure from the Prime Mini ... read more

6 months ago
GM mosquito trials raise concern in India
Bangalore/Chennai, July 23 - Experiments with genetically modified - mosquitoes planned in India by a British company in a move to find a way to control dengue fever have taken sections of the scientific community by surprise. 'I am trying to get full details about what is going on,' V.M. Katoch, secretary in the Department of Health Research and chief of the Indian Council of Medical Research - ... read more

9 months ago
Indian buffalo at crossroads of science
Bangalore, May 5 - India's ambitious project to sequence the genome of a buffalo - the mainstay of the country's dairy industry - has become a victim of inter-agency rivalry and ego problems, an investigation reveals. Apart from enhancing India's image in the competitive field of genome research, the project aimed at using the knowledge for genetic improvement of this economically important anim ... read more

9 months ago
Indian buffalo at crossroads of science
Bangalore, May 5 - India's ambitious project to sequence the genome of a buffalo - the mainstay of the country's dairy industry - has become a victim of inter-agency rivalry and ego problems, an investigation reveals. Apart from enhancing India's image in the competitive field of genome research, the project aimed at using the knowledge for genetic improvement of this economically important anim ... read more