In an article entitled, “Detection of Genetically Modified Cotton Seeds Using PCR and Real-Time PCR.” published in the April issue of Indian J. Biotech. (11: 176-181, 2012), the authors Vidhya et al. have advocated the use of the above mentioned technique in cotton as this has proved to be a powerful tool to detect contamination of GM material as low as 0.1%. The authors are of the opinion that the same technique can as well be used to detect the presence of GMOs/LMOs in other agricultural crops.
It will strengthen the hands of Managers/concerned officials engaged in BD to enforce Biosafety regulations. National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB) has this facility (Real-time PCR) to be installed soon. It will be a good idea to consider establishing a section in the institute where facilities using real-time PCR will be made available to public to get their samples tested for the presence of transgenes. Such facilities maybe used on a regular basis by the Biosafety officers to monitor the market where unscrupulous dealers are likely to sell soybean oil contaminated with unlicensed GM soybean oil or any other food stuff.