India cannot completely abandon GM crops: Jaipal Reddy

India cannot afford to completely abandon genetically modified (GM) crops and the government is trying to build a consensus among various stakeholders to reach at a solution soon, Science and Technology Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said Wednesday.

Speaking at the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council's (BIRAC) foundation day, Reddy called for treading a cautious path on the issue as there has been difference of opinion among scientists and civil society.

"We are trying to build a consensus among various stakeholders like parliamentarians, NGOs, scientists and others. We will successfully arrive at a consensus very soon," he said.