* Experts say Bt technology will eventually be introduced as it has been accepted by medical science * Anti-GM groups say minister has saved country from food colonialism Dr M S Swaminathan,widely considered the Father of the Green Revolution,today said the Centres decision to postpone commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal should not impact the biotechnology research currently going on in various laboratories across the country. He said the governments decision has given time to researchers to build public confidence in Bt brinjal. The (Bt) technology will be adopted one day as it has found acceptance in medical science, he said. Dr Swaminathan,who has been rated by Time as one of the 20 most influential Asians of the 20th century,was here to address the convocation of Punjab Agricultural University. I am impressed with the work being done by young researchers here at the PAUs School of Biotechnology. Had the Bt brinjal controversy broken out when I was their age,it would have certainly made me think whether I was doing the right thing by continuing with biotechnology research,knowing that my hard work may never be put to use in the fields. But the young scientists should not despair as the (Bt) technology will be adopted one day, he added. Another eminent scientist. Dr Gurdev Singh Khush,also said the decision of the union government will not impact research. The objections raised (to Bt crops) do have a feverish pitch,but then some concerns are genuine too, he added. Anti-Bt groups,meanwhile,too see good sense in Environment Minister Jairam Rameshs decision. Dr G P I Singh,Principal,Adesh Medical College,Faridkot,and convenor of Environment Health Action Group,said,We were not opposing Bt crops just for the sake of it. There is scientific evidence that this technology has adverse affect on public health. The indicators were too clear to be ignored. At our institute,we will initiate a study on the impact of Bt crops on health. We do have some preliminary data where skin allergies and undiagnosed illnesses have been reported in people who work as pickers in Bt cotton fields. On Bt brinjal,the decision of the minister is most welcome. Umendra Dutt of the Kheti Virasat Mission added,Jairam Ramesh has saved India from food colonialism. However,it remains to be seen how the independent study promised by the minister to study Bt brinjals impact on health is designed,he added.
