Decks cleared for field trials of GM crops
The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Centre to conduct approved field trials of genetically modified (GM) seeds in the country subject to certain restrictions.
By Agencies |
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Centre to conduct approved field trials of genetically modified (GM) seeds in the country subject to certain restrictions.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan permitted field trials of GM crops, which were earlier approved by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) in April and May 2006, provided it fulfilled certain conditions.
The government should increase the isolation distance up to 200 metres between the GM planted fields and the other fields and a protocol for testing for contamination up to 0.01% for neighbouring fields was established, the apex court said.
It also said a designated scientist should be made responsible for ensuring that all the conditions were complied with during the field trials of GM seeds. While the court allowed the commercial release of four approved Bt cotton varieties, it said no new species should be introduced.
The bench said GEAC, the GM regulatory authority under the Union ministry of environment and forests, should submit a detailed data, if any, about the effects of GM crops — the toxicity and allergic reactions before the court.
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The apex court, on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Aruna Rodrigues and others, had on September 22, last year had directed GEAC not to clear any GM crop for fresh field trials on May 1 last year, it had also said the GEAC and not the review committee for genetic manipulation under the department of biotechnology should be responsible for field trials and approval of GM crops. Download
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