The Department of Agriculture, Integral Institute of Agricultural Science & Technology (IIAST), Integral University Lucknow had organized a Guest lecture on the topic “Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in Agriculture and Environmental Laws”. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Baseerat Fatima, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Integral University, Lucknow on 12/04/2023 at 10:00 A.M. in the Seminar Hall, 2nd Floor, Department of Agriculture, IIAST.
India is a baton holder in the field of Agriculture on a global platform with a surge in various aspects of production, distribution, food availability, accessibility and security along with exports’ potentials. The genetically modified organisms likewise various genetically developed varieties not only rationalize the production facet but food nutrition and security aligning with food fortifications. India has disapproved and quashed commercial cultivation of any Genetically Modified crop except that of Bt cotton. However, confined field trials have been allowed for at least 20 Genetically Modified crops. The various legal liabilities of GMOs in India has been explored and thus in order to create an awareness about such legalities the guest lecture on “Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in Agriculture and Environmental Laws” was conducted. Dr. Baseerat Fatima elucidated on the GMO Act 2004 and enlightened on measures to regulate the responsible planning, development, production, use, marketing and application of genetically modified organisms. She deciphered the legitimization of GMO in India and various committees’ study and reports which were undertaken by the Department of Environment Forest and Wildlife which has power to take punitive action under Environment (Protection) Act if any such momentum or operations are identified.
The students of Undergraduate and Postgraduate and Ph.D Programmes from the Department of Agriculture, IIAST, thereby attended the lecture. A lucid question and answer session with the student not only sensitized them with clarity of the topic but also inculcated a futuristic and licit approach to the GMO and environmental legalities.
This lecture was coordinated by Dr. Malik Mobeen Ahmad, Associate professor, IIAST and Dr. Ruqaiya Bano, Assistant professor, IIAST.