'GM foods must be brought under PFA Act'

The Government must bring the genetically modified (GM) foods under the purview of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA Act), felt speakers at a two-day national symposium on biotechnology, which concluded in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Speaking on the issue of 'Safety Evaluation on Genetically Modified Foods: Indian Regulatory Review', P K Ghosh, senior vice-president, BioCare SBU, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, said that while no genetically modified foods are being produced in India as of now, the situation will not remain so for too long.

"With genetically modified foods likely to be produced in the country soon, there is a need to bring these under the purview of the PFA Act, as these can be toxic, allergic and have nutritional effects," said Ghosh.

The biggest advantage of the GM food is that these are tolerant to insects, diseases, herbicides and the like, but are known to be toxic and allergic. "Some of the factors that need to be considered for safety of GM foods are that the description, including source and sequence of transgenes and effects of GM foods on mammalian cells, must be documented on the products," he said.

Ghosh, however, added that one of the biggest compromise that will have to be made regarding GM foods is that no safety studies are conducted on humans before GM foods are introduced in the market.

At present, the Indian regulatory guidelines are those under the Environment Protection Act 1986 and Rules 1989. Companies wishing to introduce GM foods have to obtain a certification from the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAP) before they can be introduced.

To cite an instance, Bt cotton is a genetically modified seed that has been granted permission in India and is gaining popularity among cotton farmers because of its resistance against bollworm.

Making a few suggestions about GM foods, Ghosh stated that foremost, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure safety of GM foods.

"Companies also must give complete information on processes through which a GM food has been developed, he said.

Ghosh added that the government must publish a list of 'safe genes', which means that once a gene is notified as safe, companies will not be required to seek approval from the authorities every time they want to introduce it into the market. "There is also a need to put in place a mechanism to monitor GM foods for implicated long term risks," felt Ghosh.

Preventive measures

• With genetically modified foods likely to be produced in the country soon, there is a need to bring these under the purview of the PFA Act, as these can be toxic, allergic
• GM foods are those that are made from genetically modified organisms such as plants, animals and micro organisms
• It is the responsibility of the government to ensure safety of GM foods, Ghosh said