The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee has accorded approval for conducting genetic engineering tests on genetically modified (GM) crops. They include cotton, rice, okra, brinjal, potato, groundnut, tomato, corn, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard and sorghum for generation of biosafety data. GEAC is the apex body notified under the ‘Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro Organisms/ Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989’ of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, namely

Some of the state governments, NGOs and some sections of the scientific and farming communities have expressed apprehensions on the safety of Bt brinjal and have called for extreme caution as Bt brinjal is the first GM food crop to be introduced in the country.

The government has imposed a moratorium on commercialization of Bt brinjal event EE-I on February 09, 2010 till such time independent scientific studies establish the safety of the product from the point of view of its long-term impact on human health and environment including the rich genetic wealth existing in brinjal in the country.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Nand Kumar Sai in Rajya Sabha on Monday.