COIMBATORE (India) : After the entry of Bt cotton and the controversy over Bt brinjal, scientists have turned their attention to the medicinal tree, eucalyptus.
Research on genetically modified eucalyptus that is tolerant to soil salinity is underway in Coimbatore, according to Union environment and forest Minister Jairam Ramesh.
Field trials for GM eucalyptus would begin in four years’ time at the Union environment ministry’s Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) in Coimbatore.
GM crops and food have kicked off heated debates in India with environmentalists raising concerns over the potential health risks they may pose to consumers.
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