India’s task to guide the CBD in formulation of scientifically-designed risk assessment of living modified organisms, is of utmost importance because there is no consensus on living modified organisms and the biological safety challenges they throw up. This is partly because many countries do not have the scientific resources to make proper risk assessments. While at least 40 nations need to ratify the biosafety protocol to make it an international law. Only three countries have ratified the biosafety protocol — India has signed the agreement, but has not yet ratify it.
Jayanthi Natarajan sought to allay the fears of some countries that had reservations regarding living modified organisms and their long-term impact. Stating that the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety recognises that countries may take into account their international obligations and the impact of LMOs on conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, Ms Natarajan called upon the member countries to arrive at a consensus. “The subject of LMOs is controversial with concerns of long-term impacts on ecology and conservation,” the minister said, emphasising on the need for all countries to fast-track the ratification process. India, she added, had signed the supplementary protocol and was in the process of ratifying it.