"This issue (Bt brinjal) will not affect the pace of biotech research currently underway in several crops," Deputy Director General (Horticulture), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) H P Singh said.
The Centre has put on hold commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) brinjal citing lack of consensus within the scientific community and following intense opposition from NGOs and several states.
Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had announced a moratorium on the release of Bt brinjal till such time independent scientific studies establish, to the satisfaction of the public and professionals, its safety from long-term view on impact on human health.
"Biotech research is underway on 9 crops at present, including potato, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower and pomegranate to enhance their nutritional value. The research is in the various stages of field trials and it would take another couple of years to complete," Singh informed.
However, he said these varieties would be introduced in the market only after due approvals were taken and all the stakeholders were satisfied."It must also be emphasised that biotech crops are necessary for providing future food and nutritional security," he said.