US President Barack Obama’s visit to India and all the talk of joint research in advanced technology hasn’t affected the resolve of the group that argues genetically modified (Bt) food is bad for health.
Parliament’s standing committee on agriculture, which is examining the issue, has decided to watch a film show blasting Bt food tomorrow. Titled Poison on the platter, the 35-minute documentary directed by Mahesh Bhatt does not equivocate or express any doubt on the issue.
The standing committee is not examining a Bill; it decided to examine the subject on its own. In the government, the food ministry is keen on a green signal for Bt food, but the environment ministry stands in the way. Minister Jairam Ramesh had rejected the case for early introduction of Bt brinjal, saying an experts’ panel that had advocated limited cultivation hadn’t done enough work.
The standing committee has held at least five meetings and has planned 10 more. So far, most of those called to testify don’t want Bt food in India.