National committee on biosafety

Can we really afford to waste any more time on a tussle between two ministries -- the Environment Ministry and the Science and Technology Ministry? Why must matters relating to composition of the committee and who shall head the same remain intractable for four long years while the world has moved by leaps and bounds in the realm of bio-technology? How we wish they had spent the time in helping to release genetically engineered crop for commercial cultivation in an overpopulated country facing continuous shrinkage of farmlands.

Can't they take lessons from other countries? They don't have to look too far. Our neighbours like India and Pakistan have already moved a way forward with the concept of commercial cultivation of bio-engineered crops. We are at least four years behind, if not more in the sense that knowledge has a way of growing exponentially. We cannot turn a blind eye to something as prized as bio-technology simply because some ministries feel too strongly about technicalities. We demand the problem be solved and the committee formed immediately, if necessary with intervention from the highest level of the government. Otherwise we will continue to lag behind in harnessing biotech crop and fail to secure maximum benefits in terms of quick agricultural production.

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