The government’s decision to ban Bt brinjal is quite inexplicable and seems like it has given in to pressures from activist groups. There are several fears around genetically-modified crops and their impact on humans as well as on various crops. Which is precisely why there has to be a good scientific examination of the pros and cons. This is what the committee of scientists did. If these group of scientists studied the evidence and then came to the conclusion that the plant was safe to be introduced, how can the government decide to ban the crop?
If there was any doubt over the evidence examined by the committee, a larger body of scientists should have been asked for their opinion. Banning it is no solution.
Shikha Gupta, New Delhi