EXTRACT: ...the health ministry feels stricter norms should be in place before GM foods can be consumed.

''I have expressed my concern to the ministry of environment and the science and tech ministry as well. Before they give a go ahead for field trials they have to ensure there is more information available, otherwise there is a serious health concern,'' said Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss.

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Govt withhelds GM food info
Prachi Bhuchar
NDTV, May 13 2007 (New Delhi)
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070011902

Earlier this week the Supreme Court gave the go ahead to the Centre to conduct field trials of some [already approved] Genetically Modified (GM) crops.

The court also directed the Centre to give details about the toxicity levels of these crops.

But last month, in response to a Right to Information application, the government had refused to share these details.

We should know what we eat. That was the premise on which an environmental group filed a petition under the Right to Information Act last month, asking for specific data on field trials of genetically modified food crops, including their toxicity and allergicity levels.

The Information Commission directed the department of biotechnology to provide this information within 10 days but when the response from the government came it was far from satisfactory.

''Multi-location field trials are okay but bio-safety information cannot be disclosed,'' the government said in a reply. The reason had more to do with addressing commercial interests than safeguarding public health.

Surprisingly, though it has approved their multi-location field trials, the government said the data on rice, bhindi and mustard was yet to be evaluated. This answer, experts say, is less convincing and more confusing.

''It is ridiculous that the government does not want to provide information on something that affects our health. We asked them a straightforward question and they did not want to give an answer,'' said Geneticist Dr Suman Sahai.

But the health ministry feels stricter norms should be in place before GM foods can be consumed.

''I have expressed my concern to the ministry of environment and the science and tech ministry as well. Before they give a go ahead for field trials they have to ensure there is more information available, otherwise there is a serious health concern,'' said Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss.

Absence of proper mechanism

Some of the other concerns are that is no mechanism in place for GM food labeling and consumers are in dark about what they are eating.

Even the farmers are clueless about bio-safety hazards during field trials and people who regulate field trials are also on committees that give approval to firms to enter India.

In most countries field trials of GM crops have been on the decline since 2003. Also, there's evidence that genetic engineering have dangerous consequences.

In India, both farmers and scientists have always stopped short of greeting trials of GM food crops.

While farmers say it would damage other crops, scientists feel its still is a potential health and environmental hazard.

''Nowhere in the world has GM foods led to food security. Once we introduce GM organisms into the environment there is no control. There is crossing over onto other organisms. Companies have been accused of taking bribes [presumably a reference to their bribing of officials] in other countries. How can the government deal with such companies,'' said Dr Pushpa Bhargava, Scientist.

But biotechnologists at the genetic engineering approval committee, which gives these trials the go-ahead, say safety norms have never been compromised.

Does India need GM food at all? Experts say with Asia being the next big market for biotech firms, it is here that the future of these foods will be decided, especially since it is a growing nation where food security remains a constant concern.