Mustard is one of the few things that an Indian kitchen cannot do without. The consumption of mustard, however, might have long-term adverse effects on our health if the cultivation of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard in India gets the Central Government’s approval.
This transgenic mustard hybrid called the ‘Dhara Mustard Hybrid 11’ has been developed by Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGCMP).
Concerned environmental activists like Vandana Shiva have been running a Change.org petition to ensure that the GM mustard doesn’t get introduced to Indian households. They are promoting organic culture instead.
GM crops require more pesticides and herbicides, which may not only cause digestive problems and food allergies but also cancer.
Earlier this year Bt Brinjal was also largely disfavoured by state governments, who have yet again refused to allow field trials of this GMO. Shiva’s position is that regulators should comply with the judiciary and parliamentary recommendations regarding the subject of GM crops.
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Published: 19 Nov 2015,08:40 PM IST