Delhi University to conduct field trials of transgenic mustard
The Supreme Court on Friday allowed Delhi University to conduct limited field trials of its transgenic mustard crop.
Making field trials of transgenic mustard an exceptional case, the apex court said its previous months interim verdict of not allowing further field trials of genetically modified (GM) crops till further orders, still holds good.
The bench consisting of chief justice YK Sabharwal, justice CK Thakkar and justice Altamesh Kabir took up the writ petition filed by Aruna Rodrigues and others, seeking a moratorium on GM crops.
It also deliberated on an appeal by Delhi University, which said if field trials of GM mustard crops were not allowed in the current season, they would have to wait until next year, as mustard crop can only be grown in winter.
The apex court bench, thus, making an exception, allowed field trials of GM mustard in an area of 200 sq metre, subject to implementation of biosafety protocols.
Speaking to FE, the counsel for Rodrigues and others, Prashant Bhushan said, We had suggested to the government to co-opt five independent experts in the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), which includes the founder-director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology and vice chairman of National Knowledge Commission, Pushpa M Bhargava and noted civil rights activist, Vandana Shiva.
When the counsel for the government objected, the court asked him to file a written objection and suggest names of other independent experts. Bhushan further said, I raised objection to CD Mayee continuing as GEAC co-chairperson as he is on the board of the ISAAA, a US-based body funded by multinational biotech companies for propogation of transgenic technology. I also raised objection to the breeder of GM mustard, Deepak Pental continuing as chairman of the GEAC sub-committe.
He said the court recognised this conflict of interests and asked the government to enquire if any other GEAC members were directly or indirectly funded by biotech companies.