GM,cropped

The fate of GM food crops in India remains uncertain after a Supreme Court-appointed panel failed to reach a unanimous decision last week. While five members of the Technical Expert Committee TEC have recommended an indefinite ban on GM food crops,one member has dissented,calling for their commercial release after Genetic Engineering Approval Committees clearance of the crops. As the debate unfolds,heres a look at how GM crops fare in other nations

GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS

GM crops are plants that have seen their DNAs modified via genetic engineering. Alterations in the DNA makeup are introduced to give traits to plants that dont occur naturally. For instance,rendering resistance to pests,diseases,chemical treatments or environmental conditions

The first GM plant was produced in 1982,using an antibiotic-resistant tobacco plant

The first field trials of genetically engineered plants took place in France and the US in 1986,when tobacco plants were made resistant to herbicides

In 1994,the first GM crop approved for sale in the US was the FlavrSavr tomato,with a longer shelf life

In 1995,Bt Potato was approved safe by the Environmental Protection Agency in the US

In 2000,with the production of golden rice,scientists genetically modified food to increase its nutrient value for the first time

Global value of biotech seed was US 13.2 billion in 2011

Story continues below this ad

Largest share of GM crops globally are from seeds created by American firm Monsanto

Approximately 15 million farmers grew biotech crops in 29 countries in 2010

REGULATION

Regulation of genetic engineering centres on the approaches of governments towards assessing and managing the risks associated with GM crops

There are differences in regulation of GM crops between countries; some of the most marked differences are between the US and Europe

Regulation varies in a given country depending on the intended use of products of the genetic engineering

BANNED IN

Story continues below this ad

JAPAN: No GM seeds are planted in the country. However,large quantities of canola are imported from Canada

NEW ZEALAND: No GM foods are grown in the country

GERMANY: Ban on the cultivation or sale of GMO maize

UNITED STATES: Only some Californian counties have banned GM crops

Story continues below this ad

AUSTRALIA: Several Australian states had bans on GM crops but most of them have since lifted them

ALLOWED IN

UNITED STATES: Mostly grows GM varieties of corn,canola and soy. Hawaii grows GM papayas. Approvals have also been given for GM alfalfa,zucchinis,beet sugar and tomatoes

CHINA: One of the largest producers of GM crops

GERMANY,SWEDEN amp; CZECH REPUBLIC: Approved for growing GM potatoes

CANADA: Has widespread GM crop usage

EUROPEAN UNION: Has approved cultivation of many GM crops but individual countries may opt out

Story continues below this ad

UNITED KINGDOM: Officially supports GM crops and has trials of crops like planted potatoes. However,there is widespread public distrust