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Bathinda: Environmentalists, agricultural experts and social activists have hit out at the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) for stopping serving and former officials from expressing any opinion or writing any article on the approval to environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard DMH-11.
The activists termed the “gag order” a move to stop reality from reaching the people. They alleged that the authorities were trying to dub the “harsh reality” about GM crops on human health and environment as “myths”.
Earlier, in a press release, secretary, Department of Agriculture Research and Education, and ICAR director-general Himanshu Pathak had explained various issues pertaining to GM mustard approval, including risk assessment of the product.
Pathak also issued orders against presenting opinions or writing articles, different from the stated documentation and decisions made by regulators under the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986, on the subject by serving or former officials.
Agriculture policy expert Devinder Sharma, however, said silencing scientific voices against the “risky and unwanted” GM crops indicated that there was more to hide than reveal.
“This is not the way science works. It is time to know what goes on behind regulatory barriers when it comes to GM crops. Science is open to questioning. By issuing a gag order, it is clear that the ICAR has a lot to hide. It does not want the lies to be exposed. I am sure even Albert Einstein must be turning in his grave, as this is not the science he stood for,” said Sharma.
“Every claim that the ICAR makes about GM mustard can be challenged. Allowing the propagation of junked GM mustard variety is actually aimed at opening the floodgates for risky and harmful GM foods in the country. The US is already pushing for the entry of GM rice and apples into India. We seem to be under tremendous pressure from the USA to embrace GM crops. Let there be a public debate on this issue,” he added.
Kavitha Kuruganti from the coalition for GM-Free India alleged that the government was threatening scientists into silence by saying that administrative action would be taken if they speak without authorisation. “No one claims that DMH-11 per se will solve the problem of edible oil import. The press release by ICAR DG is different from claims (direct and insinuated) made in the November 9, 2022, Supreme Court affidavit,” she said.
Punjab-based environmental organisation Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM) stated that the order was “not in good taste”. The country needs to know each and everything as it pertains to human health and environment, it said.
The activists termed the “gag order” a move to stop reality from reaching the people. They alleged that the authorities were trying to dub the “harsh reality” about GM crops on human health and environment as “myths”.
Earlier, in a press release, secretary, Department of Agriculture Research and Education, and ICAR director-general Himanshu Pathak had explained various issues pertaining to GM mustard approval, including risk assessment of the product.
Pathak also issued orders against presenting opinions or writing articles, different from the stated documentation and decisions made by regulators under the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986, on the subject by serving or former officials.
Agriculture policy expert Devinder Sharma, however, said silencing scientific voices against the “risky and unwanted” GM crops indicated that there was more to hide than reveal.
“This is not the way science works. It is time to know what goes on behind regulatory barriers when it comes to GM crops. Science is open to questioning. By issuing a gag order, it is clear that the ICAR has a lot to hide. It does not want the lies to be exposed. I am sure even Albert Einstein must be turning in his grave, as this is not the science he stood for,” said Sharma.
“Every claim that the ICAR makes about GM mustard can be challenged. Allowing the propagation of junked GM mustard variety is actually aimed at opening the floodgates for risky and harmful GM foods in the country. The US is already pushing for the entry of GM rice and apples into India. We seem to be under tremendous pressure from the USA to embrace GM crops. Let there be a public debate on this issue,” he added.
Kavitha Kuruganti from the coalition for GM-Free India alleged that the government was threatening scientists into silence by saying that administrative action would be taken if they speak without authorisation. “No one claims that DMH-11 per se will solve the problem of edible oil import. The press release by ICAR DG is different from claims (direct and insinuated) made in the November 9, 2022, Supreme Court affidavit,” she said.
Punjab-based environmental organisation Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM) stated that the order was “not in good taste”. The country needs to know each and everything as it pertains to human health and environment, it said.
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