Abstract: Farmers’ protest against field trials of genetically engineered Bt-cotton in India highlighted the controversies surrounding genetic engineering technology in agriculture. Molecular biological, organismal, ecological and societal issues surrounding the Bt-cotton controversy are examined in order to identify the level of organization at which known and potential problems arise and, thereby, to suggest the level at which such problems are best addressed.  The analysis suggests that information available to the public was incomplete, irrelevant, or obfuscated such that the technological and societal issues were neither well characterized, nor well separated; scientists have an important role in making available undistorted information to the public, thus enabling informed, democratic decision making.

A national newspaper in India, The Hindu, reported on this article:
'Expert questions cotton trials'
(http://www.hindu.com/2000/11/07/stories/08070001.htm)

Monsanto came back with a response that did not directly address any of the questions raised in the Current Science article:
'Genetically modified cotton outstanding'
(http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2000/11/09/stories/0209000n.htm)

Exchanges were published in Current Science, the journal where the article originally appeared:

Current Science India 80 (3): 321-327. 2001
    Bhatia, C. R. Bt-cotton in India
    Bharathan, G. Bt-cotton in India - Response

    Ghosh, P. K. Bt-cotton: government procedures
    Bharathan, G. Bt-cotton: government procedures - Response

    Barwale, R. B. Bt-cotton: The view from MAHYCO
    Bharathan, G. Bt-cotton: The view from MAHYCO - Response

Current Science India 80 (10): 1253-1254. 2001
    Gujar, G. T.  Bt cotton in India: Too cautious a development
     Bharathan, G. Bt cotton in India: Too cautious a development - Response

Current Science India 81 (4): 331-332. 2001
    Tiwari, S. C.  Poverty, hunger and transgenics