Opinion - Letters to the Editor

GM and delays

Sir, — Your Editorial, "Transgenic crops and approval" ( June 19 ), portrays well the sluggish attitude of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) in according approval to the various genetically modified (GM) versions of Bt cotton. Because of red-tapism, illegal transgenic cotton seeds have proliferated in the market and farmers have got accustomed to such varieties without knowing the side-effects of loss of fertility of the soil. It is time the GEAC took up the new variety of protein rich "potato" for its speedy approval so that millions of our children suffering from malnutrition get their diet supplemented by protein to some extent.

The genetically modified variety of "golden rice" which contains more vitamins, anti-oxidants, etc., may also be popularised soon for the benefit of the masses, especially elders and diabetics.

S. Nallasivan,

Tirunelveli, T.N.

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