Scientifically invalid

THREE months after the country’s top science academies released their controversial report backing genetically modified (GM) crops and hastily withdrew it after it was panned by the scientific community, they are back with an updated report—and the verdict is that it is worse than the original.

Gene leakage

A BACTERIUM, which the biotech industry uses as a vehicle to insert foreign genes in plants, can alter the genetic makeup of other life forms like fungi in the environment, shows a research by UK scientists. This is a way, apart from cross pollination, modified genes could escape into the environment, said the researchers. They call for considering the finding during the risk assessment of bacteria-mediated genetically modified (GM) plants.

How competent is Indian science?

When six of India’s top scientific academies were asked by Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh in March to assess the feasibility and safety of genetically modified (GM) crops and their regulation, it was expected their evaluation would help resolve the highly contentious question of growing GM food crops in the country. Instead, their report released September end has turned into a scandal for Indian science.

Pied piper in lab

RATS and mice can mimic human diseases and hence are important laboratory models to understand causes of ailments as well as the efficacy of drugs. For some unknown reason rats are better candidates to understand certain diseases than mice. For example, explained Aron Geurts, physiology professor at Medical College of Wisconsin, USA, rats are better laboratory models for hypertension and kidney; mice do not develop these diseases. But mice have an advantage over rats: they are more amenable to genetic manipulation.

GM nut loses ground

INDIA’S Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has rejected a request by University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru to conduct trials on transgenic groundnuts for commercial development in difficult terrain. The university wanted to conduct trials for drought and salt tolerance.

Science & Technology - Briefs

FORESTRY Burn and slash

Letters

Relocated and damned It is disheartening to learn the plight of residents of Bikhnathori village in Bihar who don’t have basic facilities like water and electricity (‘Corridor of uncertainty’, March 1-15, 2010).

Letters

Independence is a disqualification US pressure on India to approve the commercial production of Bt brinjal was evident when Nina Fedoroff, science adviser to US secretary of state, visited India just when the environment minister was to take a decision on the GM crop. Fortunately, the minister put a moratorium on Bt brinjal.

Billed to confuse

If the nationwide furore over Bt brinjal was driven by the fear of unsafe food being pushed down the throat, the proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (brai) bill goes a step further to silence all opposition. The bill will bring about changes in regulating the research, transport, import, manufacture and use of genetically modified (GM) products in the country.    

Papain has a new source

Thanks to genetics, now the enzyme can be made in labs THERE is an ever-rising demand for papain, an enzyme secreted by the papaya plant. Widely used in the preservation of spices, digestive aids and as a contact lens cleaner, it also finds applications in meat tenderization, beer clarification and blood stain removal. However, the extraction