The Coalition for GM-Free India today alleged that the scientific testing data of GM mustard seed, which is being considered by biotech regulator GEAC for commercial cultivation, has been "rigged" to show exaggerated benefits.
The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has already held two meetings to discuss the proposal to allow commercial cultivation of a GM hybrid variety DMH-11 of the mustard plant developed by Delhi University's Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP).
In its February 5 meeting, CGMCP was to prepare a Risk Assessment and Risk Management (RARM) document and submit within two weeks. It had also recommended a long procedure for "further review and consultation" on the biosafety data.
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The Coalition for a GM-Free India along with independent scientists alleged that "the GM mustard (hybrid DMH-11) testing has been actively rigged unscientifically" after comparing its results with other varieties.
"By comparing DMH-11 with very old checks or comparators, the crop developers are trying to show exaggerated benefits. It has not been compared with other hybrids like DMH-1," claimed National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) Fellow Sharad Pawar in a press conference.
Alleging that DMH-11 testing was rigged to enable claims of yield benefits, Coalitions said: "However, compared with other extensively tested cultivators, GM mustard actually produces 10.4 per cent to 27.5 per cent lesser yields. Regulatory assessment should focus not only on risks which are being under-reported but also on benefits which are falsely-constructed."
When contacted, Deepak Pental, developer of GM mustard hybrid DMK-11, said, "All lies. All distortion of scientific data. They all are speaking nonsensical things.
