Government says aware of GM banana research

NEW DELHI: Government today said it is aware of and has seen the original research done on Genetically Modified (GM) banana by the scientists at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

The work however, was only at the laboratory level. Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Y S Chowdary informed Rajya Sabha.

The Minister, in a written reply, also informed that however, the scientists at the Brisbane-based Queensland University of Technology have developed Genetically Modified iron-rich bananas, which have been tested in the field.

Since the research was at an advanced stage, an agreement has been signed with the Queensland University of Technology, Australia, and five Indian partners including BARC," the Minister said.

"There was no overlap between the work carried out by BARC and the work which is being done in this project. BARC has been involved in the project in view of its experience of its scientists in GM banana research," he said.