India
April 6, 2006Source:
Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)
via The Financial
Express
India's
Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) on Tuesday
gave the go-ahead for the commercial cultivation of two new
varieties of Bt cotton hybrids, developed by JK Agri Seeds and
Nath Seeds. The varieties will be cultivated in Punjab, Haryana,
Rajasthan and other northern states, in the current season.
The Bt cotton hybrid developed by JK Agri Seeds Ltd, called
JKCH-1947 Bt, contains Cry 1Ac gene (event 1) and was reportedly
developed indigenously. The other variety, NCEH-6 Bt, developed
by Nath Seeds, contains encoding fusion genes,Cry 1 Ac and Cry 1
Ac plus GFM, developed in China. Nath Seeds has also developed a
variety, NCEH-2R, for sowing in central zone.
The GEAC took the decision for
approving new varieties so as to encourage competition between
different seed companies. However, NGOs like Centre for
Sustainable Agriculture and Greenpeace India criticised the GEAC
approval of new varieties despite the repeated failures of Bt
cotton.By Ashok B,
Sharma, The Financial
Express |
