Health issues related to GM Mustard adequately addressed: Government

NIN was engaged in undertaking compositional analysis, allergenicity and toxicity assessment and animal studies of GE Mustard

All the public health related issues have been "adequately addressed" vis-a-vis the GM Mustard, the government said on Tuesday.

"All the members of GEAC and its sub-committees are regularly and actively involved at several stages in assessment of food safety of GM mustard," Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

"Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) and its sub-committees involve representatives of National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Bio-Medical Group of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Ministry of Health and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

He said, "All public health related issues have been adequately addressed for the GM Mustard, through the regulatory pipeline process...

"...As per the Rules for the manufacture, use/import/ export and storage of hazardous microorganisms/genetically engineered organisms or cells 1989 (Rules 1989) made under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986," he said.

He said the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) an institute of Indian Council of Medical Research was engaged in undertaking compositional analysis, allergenicity and toxicity assessment and animal studies of GE Mustard.

It also said over 700 comments have been received by the Environment Ministry on the bio-safety dossier which was uploaded for public comments

Replying to another question, he said at present no field trial is underway on GE Mustard and the application for environmental release of GE Mustard given by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation and Crop Plants (CGMCP) of University of Delhi has undergone bio-safety assessments for necessary examination by GEAC.

He said some concerns and apprehensions have been raised by NGOs on biosafety of GE Mustard and to understand the concerns, GEAC provided them an opportunity to two groups to share their apprehensions.

GEAC reviewed the application submitted by CGMCP in its 126th meeting in January and constituted a sub-committee to review the dossier. Accordingly a sub-committee prepared an assessment of Food and Environmental safety document and submitted it to the GEAC for evaluation.

"The AFES document prepared by sub committee on GE Mustard was placed on the Website of the Ministry for a period of 30 days from September 5 to October 5 this for inviting public comments from stakeholders.

"Entire dossier submitted by CGMCP was also made available for review by public during consultation period. A total of 759 comments have been received from various stakeholders and 29 people in person reviewed the dossier," he said.