India Drafts Crop-specific Biology Documents

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Ministry of Environment and Forests have drafted "Series of Crop Specific Biology Documents" for use as reference in evaluation of biotech/genetically engineered (GE) crops. Five crop-specific documents featuring cotton, brinjal, maize, okra and rice have been prepared and are made available on DBT's website for comments from concerned stakeholders. The biology documents provide information about biology and ecology of the crops and are structured to contain seven parts including general description; taxonomy, geographic origin and distribution; reproductive biology; crossability and hybridization; ecological interactions; health considerations and cultivation of the crop in India. The purpose of the crop-specific biology documents is to make available information about the crop to applicants as information in applications to regulatory authorities; to regulators as a guide and reference source in their regulatory reviews; and for information sharing, research reference and public information.

To read and download the "Series of Crop Specific Biology Documents" on cotton, brinjal, maize, okra and rice visit http://dbtbiosafety.nic.in/Comments_Invited.htm Submit your comments on these documents up to January 7, 2009 to Dr. K.K. Tripathi, Advisor, Department of Biotechnology at: kkt@dbt.nic.in and dbtbiosafety@gmail.com For more information about biotech development in India contact b.choudhary@cgiar.org and k.gaur@cgiar.org