SC issues notices on petition seeking ban on GM foods

New Delhi, July 14 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre on a petition seeking ban on production and import of genetically engineered foods popularly known as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) which have been found hazardous for human health.

GMOs are known to carry viruses and antibiotic genes which can cause serious illness and even death as in case of genetically engineered L- tryptophan.

The petition filed by Vandana Shiva has also alleged that such foods which were being banned in most of the countries world over were being dumped in India by multinationals like Monsanto who clearly wish to misutilize the world as market to make huge financial gains and are exposing the people of this country to health hazards, environmentally harmful and endangering the future of the people of this country.

A bench comprising chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal, Mr. Justice C.K.

Thakker and Mr. Justice R.V. Raveendran issued the notices after hearing counsel for the petitioner.

According to the petitioner sufficient data is available to show that a number of food products having GMOs are available in the market which include soya products, edible oils, canola, pringles,chips and potato chips and even the ration provided for children's mid day meal scheme have been found to contain potentially dangerous genetically engineered material.

The petitioner has prayed to the court not to permit the production and import or manufacture of GMOs till a legal mechanism providing adequate safeguards against such foods is in place in the country.

UNI AKS/SC RP GC1946