TNAU developing 2 varieties of hybrid transgenic maize
Coimbatore:The Departmentf Biotechnology (DBT), is in the process of developing two varieties of hybrid transgenic maize.Addressing a seminar on safety assessment of GM food crops organised by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Mr KK Tripathi, advisor, DBT, said that the department is developing pesticide resistant maize to overcome weeds and pest resistant maize to overcome stem borer disease.“These are still in the trial stage and would be commercialised only after the Supreme Court’s verdict on Bt crops in April,” he added.On September 22, 2006, the Supreme Court, through an order, had restrained the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), from granting any further approvals for testing of genetically modified products through field trials, whether for commercial purpose or for research.
