NEW DELHI: A technical agency of the central government has ruled the consumption of genetically modified (GM) mustard "safe for human and animal health", adding that it "does not pose any threat" to biodiversity.
The environment ministry posted the report on its website on Monday, asking for comments from the public before Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) takes the final decision on GM mustard. Comments can be submitted till October 5. The GEAC grants approval for GM products’ release into the environment.
Environmentalists and anti-GM groups had been demanding that the ministry make all the documents on the study into GM mustard, including a dossier on bio-safety details, public. If GEAC goes in favour of the commercial release of GM mustard, it will be the first genetically modified food crop to be cleared for cultivation in India.
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