Fomer director of Indian food research lab calls for ten-year freeze on GM crops

The former Director of the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) H.A.B. Parpia has argued strongly against approving transgenic or genetically modified food and has called for a 10-year moratorium on GM crops with immediate effect. In a release, Dr. Parpia said that the Government should not allow the approval of transgenics in food and agriculture without stringent, transparent and long -term testing. "I suggest a 10-year moratorium on GM crops with immediate effect or until we have adequate foolproof scientific data to support the claims of the regulatory process," he said. Dr. Parpia's reaction comes in the backdrop of the ongoing debate on the introduction of GM brinjal into the market. He said regretted that science was working not for the good of the nation but rather for some multinational companies (MNCs)and power conglomerates.