Chennai: Agro scientist and M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) chairman Professor M.S. Swaminathan raised his concern about the ban imposed on field testing of GM crops as the present moratorium on field trials with recombinant DNA material served as a serious handicap.
Delivering his address at Anna University’s 35th convocation on Wednesday, Prof Swaminathan said that the present moratorium had become a disincentive in harnessing the benefits of the wide array of transgenic material, currently available with various public and private sector research organisations and universities.
He suggested that with the expiry of the validity of the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Bill, the ICAR, DBT, ICMR, CSIR, UGC, ministry of environment and forests and other agencies had an opportunity to go through the text of the bill once again taking into account the comments, criticisms and suggestions which have been received, and get a new bill prepared for introduction in Parliament.
Reiterating that India should become a hunger-free country, Prof Swaminathan lamented that India had secured the 55th rank among 76 nations. “We still have hunger in our country, that’s what the report says,” he said.
Citing the National Family Health Survey, the eminent scientist said that 45 per cent of children in India below three years were stunted and undernourished. “One in three malnourished children live in India. The World Health Organisation has prescribed 2025 as the year for the world to become hunger-free. National leaders have agreed that this goal should be achieved sooner in India,” he said.
Meritorious students received medals and degrees from Governor and University Chancellor Dr K.Rosaiah. This year, Dindigul-based PSNA College of Engineering and Technology topped the rank list with 159 rank holders followed by Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai (154) and Mepco Schlenk Engineering College, Sivakasi (153).
