Needed biotechnology regulator with teeth

Needed biotechnology regulator with teeth

India's regulator for genetically modified organisms, Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, has declared the GM Mustard strain developed by Delhi University's Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants to be safe for commercial introduction. Environment minister Anil Madhav Dave will take the final call, making the decision inherently political.
It is not possible to completely separate politics and science on matters such as food. The point is to decide on the basis of evidence, and through processes that are transparent and have integrity. India must promote, not suppress, genetic research and its commercial deployment. At the same time, the government needs to put in place robust science-based institutions that will determine and certify the efficacy and safety of taking these innovations beyond the laboratory. There are concerns about the regulatory process and over sight. As part of ongoing public interest litigation, the Supreme Court appointed a Technical Expert Group comprising leading scientists from relevant disciplines to assess the regulatory regime. The group identified deficiencies in the current regulatory system, suggesting remedial measures reflecting a deeper understanding of the process of risk assessment within the regulatory system to ensure proper bio safety regulations. The expert group recommended putting on hold all field trials and commercialisation till the regulatory mechanism was put in place.
The court is expected to give its final ruling soon. In parallel, the government should revive the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill that died with the last government. The question regarding genetically modified food should not be about ideology or politics but about science and evidence. Sound regulation alone can ensure this.