GM Mustard: SC Reserves Order on Pleas for Moratorium on Release of GMOs into Environment

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18th Jan. The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on pleas seeking a moratorium on the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment. The bench, consisting of Justices BV Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol, heard submissions from Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, and advocates Prashant Bhushan and senior advocate Sanjay Parikh.

The parties have been directed by the top court to file written submissions by January 22.

Recognizing that the issue of genetically modified crops is highly technical and scientific, the top court stated on Wednesday that it will decide on the plea regarding the environmental release of GM mustard based on what is in the best interest of the country.
Previously, the apex court questioned the Centre about why the reports of the court-appointed Technical Experts Committee (TEC) on biosafety of GM crops were not considered by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).

The Attorney General, representing the Centre, stated that the GEAC, as a statutory body, is not required to review these reports but has taken into account all relevant scientific findings before approving the environmental release.

The top court is currently hearing separate pleas from activist Aruna Rodrigues and NGO ‘Gene Campaign’ seeking a moratorium on the release of any GMOs into the environment until a comprehensive, transparent, and rigorous biosafety protocol is conducted by independent expert bodies and made available to the public.