Policy Catalyst

Bt cotton, cotton engineered with the toxin from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), for assistance with pest control was the first commercially available biotech crop in India in 2002. With 43 varieties of Bt cotton now available in India it is possible to examine India's regulatory approach to GMOs. The multiple framework approach used in the paper includes public policy, risk assessment, risk and regulatory policy, and ethical perspectives.

Kuzma's research built on previous research by one R. Paarlesberg when analyzing India's public policy, he wrote an article in 2000 titled Governing the GM crop revolution: policy choices for developing countries. Paarlesberg classified aspects of India's policies toward GM crops by identifying levels of acceptance ranging from promotional to preventive. Using this framework Kuzma was able to review the current status of India's policies towards GM crops as it has changed since 2000 and concluded that the current classification of India's acceptance of GM crops has moved in the direction of less restrictive policy, even though it would still remain preventive.

The scientific risk assessment framework used in this paper was derived by the National Research Council (NRC) of the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS). This framework was then applied to see if India's regulatory system was adequately addressing scientific and technical issues. The paper perceived risk assessment as improving in India as BT Cotton paves the way for increased research and regulatory activity.

The paper's analysis then moved to risk and regulatory policy, implementing Patronski's framework for risk management and monitoring. Patronski, Humphrey Institute alum devised this framework in 2005 in a paper titled Internal Regulatory Frameworks for Genetically Engineered Fish. This framework identified interdisciplinary processes, analytic-deliberative processes, communication, and transparent decision-making. Using this framework and the case study India demonstrated both adequate and inadequate performance.

An ethical framework covers such aspects as welfare, dignity and justice. The paper states that India’s regulatory framework though recognizing an ethical component fails as many countries do, including the United States, to regularly implement ethical analysis into its regulatory policy.