19.12.2012 | permalink
An inquiry report into the contamination of an indigenously created Bt cotton variety with a Monsanto gene has bared the unethical, unscientific and irresponsible working of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in general and the integrity of scientists involved in particular. The five-member committee report on 'scientific claim with regard to the BNLA106 event for insect resistance' in the BN Bt Bikaneri Narma was made public on Friday last week. The committee headed by JNU vice-chancellor and plant biologist S K Sopory was set up to probe the presence of Monsanto gene Mon 531 in the BN Bt Bikaneri Narma cotton variety developed by ICAR instead of the expected BNLA106, an indigenous gene.