GM mustard: Groups threaten to step up stir

GROUPS OPPOSED to transgenic crops Monday threatened to intensify protests against efforts to allow cultivation of genetically-modified mustard. An eight-member team of activists, farm leaders and scientists appeared before Genetic Engineering Approval Committee. They made presentations on safety of DMH-11 mustard variety developed by Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) of Delhi University. If cleared, DMH-11 will become the first genetically-modified food crop in India.

The anti-GM group claimed that CGMCP had committed a fraud by not disclosing that the three genes in the hybrid mustard were herbicide-tolerant, which will lead to increased use of chemicals and raise risks to human health and ecology. The GEAC said it would consider all the points raised by the group.