The Environment Ministry has clarified that the Sub-Committee drawn up by GEAC has experts in subjects relevant to safety evaluation of GE crops. In a clarification issued here today, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said, The GEAC in its 126th Meeting held on 04.01.2016, constituted a Sub-Committee with expert scientists in specific subjects relevant to safety evaluation of Genetically Engineered (GE) Crops. The Sub-Committee also consists of a health expert, Dr. B. Sesikeran, who is an MD in pathology and former Director, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and is currently serving as chairman, Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM).
The assessment of food and Environmental Safety (AFES) for Environmental release of GE Mustard (Brassica juncea) hybrid DMH-11 and use of parental events (Varuna bn3.6 and EH2 modbs2.99) for development of new generation hybrids has been placed on the website on 05.09.2016 for comments by stakeholders and general public for a period of 30 days. The full biosafety dossier is also available in the GEAC Secretariat at MoEF&CC, V-232, IInd Floor, Vayu Block, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jorbagh Road, New Delhi-110003."
The clarification comes in the backdrop of comments in a section of the media, particularly with reference to a recent article in Times of India, alleging that the Sub-Committee constituted by GEAC for review of Biosafety Dossier submitted by Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP), for the approval of environmental release of Genetically Engineered (GE) Mustard (Brassica juncea) hybrid DMH-11 and use of parental events (Varuna bn 3.6 and EH-2 modbs 2.99) for the development of new generation hybrids, has No Health Expert" in the Sub-Committee.
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