GM Crop Debate

On 25 August 2017, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests submitted its report on genetically modified (GM) crops and their impact on the environment. The committee consisted of 31 Members of Parliament, all affiliated to different political parties. However, despite 11 members belonging to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the report strongly criticised the pro-GM lobby bias of government, with regard to policy and regulation on this issue. As such, it is a wake-up call to the government to demonstrate greater concern towards protecting the health, environment and agriculture of the nation. This report will be remembered for upholding the true national ­interests, at a time when it is threatened by strong and resourceful lobbyists for GM crops, whose influence extends to the topmost levels of policymaking in India.

The committee further draws attention to the fact that the regulators in India rely on data made available by the promoters of GM crops. Such an arrangement could allow for the manipulation of data by those invested in GM technology, in order to suit their own requirements. Referring to the government’s own efforts at research in the field, the committee regretfully notes that no in-house study has been carried out till date, to analyse the impact of GM crops on human health.