SC permits field trial of GMOs

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) The Supreme Court today permitted field trials of 24 genetically modified organisms (GMOs) under stringent conditions.

A three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justices Tarun Chatterjee and D K Jain, permitted the field trials under stringent conditions imposed by Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC).

The court, however, made it clear that trials would be permitted only for items which had been approved by the government.

The items include rice, tomatoes, patatoes, cauliflower, mustard, lady finger, among others.

Earlier, Additional Solicitor General Amarender Saran appearing for the Centre pleaded that about 300 proposals have piled up before the government for clearance.

Counsel Parshant Bhushan appearing for the petitioner Rodrigues, however, contended that field trials should not be permitted as these trials adversely effect the environment, and these field trials contaminate the food items which are extremely harmful.

The court also permitted the use of four BT cotton seeds in jeans on a petition filed by All India Biotech Crop Association.

The apex court had earlier banned these trials awaiting the response of the government to concerns expressed by the petitioner.

UNI