A group of prominent agricultural scientists has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing serious concern over the recent announcement of gene-edited rice lines by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), calling it premature and potentially harmful to India’s agricultural sovereignty and seed sector. The letter, dated June 7 and issued by the Agriculture Scientists Manch — a collective of senior agricultural experts — warns that the May 4 event, where Union Agriculture Minister officially unveiled gene-edited rice lines developed using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, bypassed necessary regulatory protocols and may jeopardise India's negotiating power, with multinational companies holding crucial intellectual property rights for the gene-editing technology. The top agri scientists — including two former vice chancellors — drew parallels with Bt cotton, where farmers became reliant on multinational companies for seeds, many of which led to pest resistance, increased chemical inputs, and widespread farmer distress, including suicides. [See GMWatch's X thread.] Counterview

 

 

Bayer said that the US Supreme Court has asked the solicitor general for an opinion in the Durnell case, as the German company seeks clarity from the top US court in litigation related to its weedkiller glyphosate. John Durnell, a resident of St Louis, sued Monsanto/Bayer after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which he attributed to his use of Roundup. The court's request for the view of the solicitor general – the federal government's top Supreme Court lawyer – further delays a decision by the court whether it will hear the case. Bayer is seeking relief in its legal fight over potentially billions of dollars in damages related to disputed claims that the weedkiller causes cancer. "We see this request as an encouraging step," said Bayer CEO Bill Anderson, adding the company was looking forward to hearing the views of the government. The US Environmental Protection Agency has repeatedly upheld the view that glyphosate is not carcinogenic. Reuters

 

We hope you’ve found this newsletter interesting. It was made possible by GMWatch supporters. To become one, please support our work with a one-off or regular donation. Thank you!