Supreme Court delivers split verdict on approval of GM Mustard

Posted 24 Jul 2024

2 min read

A 2-judge bench of the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on a batch of PILs challenging the approval given by the Union Government for environmental release of Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard.

Previously, in October 2022, Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) and Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change granted approval for environmental release of GM Mustard (HT Mustard DMH-11).
Later, release of the GM Mustard was put on hold after Supreme Court asked the Centre to maintain status quo in November 2022.

Key Highlights of the judgment

Judicial review of the decisions by GEAC is permissible.
Union government should evolve a national policy on GM crops in consultation with all stakeholders, including states, farmers groups, etc.
In the matter of importing GM food, the provisions of the FSSAI Act should be enforced.

About GM Crops

GM Crops are crops whose genetic materials have been modified using laboratory-based transfer of genetic material from another organism.
Significance: Increased crop yields, developing resistance to pesticides, climate adaptation, etc.
Concerns: Allergic reaction, anti-microbial resistance, immune-suppression, etc.
In India, Bt cotton is the only GM crop approved (2002) for cultivation.

Approval of GM Crops in India

Rules for the Manufacture/ Use/ Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (1989) notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
As per the above rules, GEAC is responsible for appraisal of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.
- GEAC functions under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.