Hot potatoes

It is not just the irony. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had recently over-ruled the clearance by his ministrys Genetic Engineering Approval Committee for the cultivation of Bt brinjal,thereby placing an indefinite moratorium on this genetically modified vegetable. But the Philippines,considered a pioneer in food research,have chosen to rely on that very report of the GEAC. That countrys science and technology minister has written a letter praising the quality and work of the committee. The point is not to situate the Filipino official opposite Ramesh. It is,instead,that this serves to highlight the cavalier manner in which the environment minister privileged so-called public sentiment against a record of scientific trials,wrecking in the process the institutional mechanisms that underpin Indias genetic engineering protocols.

Another development comes serendipitously. The European Union has given its approval for the cultivation of GM potato. This,despite genetically modified food being a hot issue in Europe,with sustained political protests against its possible health and environmental risks. Like brinjal,potato is a food crop that belongs to the broad category of non-tuber bearing Solanum species. Certainly,every genetically modified crop has to be carefully appraised for its environmental

and health impacts. But these indications that the world is moving on to new agricultural technologies should return policy-makers to the dubious utility of an argument thats fuelled the Bt brinjal moratorium: whats the hurry for India to take a call right now?

Subsequent to Rameshs veto,the prime minister stepped in to return institutional coherence to decision-making on GM crops,and the next steps will be significant for their signalling of purposefulness. It is important that the hysterics over Bt brinjal last month do not impact the research on other crops. The proposed Seeds Bill 2004,for instance,is likely to come up for discussion in the cabinet soon. The current Seeds Act 1966 does not factor in quality control of GM seeds,and the amendments will put in place a regulatory framework. Cabinet discussion on this legislation should ignite the internal debate on genetically modified crops.