Genetically modified (GM) crops are crops in which genetic engineering(1) is used to introduce the characteristic held within the genetic code of a micro-organism into a plant genome. The first GM crop was a tomato; since then, several crops have been genetically modified worldwide, including corn, soybeans and cotton. Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) is a naturally occurring bacterium that produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae. In India, the first BT GM crop to be developed was cotton in March 2002. Today, India is a prominent player in the area of research and experimentation into GM crops. In September 2007 BT Brinjal was approved by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee(2) and cleared the proposals of biotechnology safety rules.(3) Further, in February 2008 the Supreme Court revoked its earlier ban on the approval of large-scale field trials of transgenic crops.(4) BT Brinjal is the first transgenic edible crop to be introduced into India.

Monsanto Holdings Pvt Ltd is a key player in transgenic crops and promotes such crops in India through Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech (a 50-50 joint venture between Monsanto and Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds...............Click for more

Source Web Page: International Law office