New Delhi   

“Make public bio-safety data on GM brinjal”

MUMBAI: The Central Information Commission (CIC) on Thursday directed the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to make public the bio-safety data for genetically modified brinjal. The Commission set aside Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company’s (MAHYCO) argument that the disclosure of such data has significant commercial implications to the company.

The Commission’s order has set a precedent across the world where bio-safety data of a yet to be commercialised transgenic crop is to be made public.

A press release from Greenpeace said that this decision brings to an end almost two years of tussle with the DBT over the disclosure of bio-safety data on genetically engineered (GE) food crops. MAHYCO, in its petition to the CIC, claimed that the public disclosure of anything beyond the summaries of the bio-safety data for brinjal would affect the competitive interests of the company. The bio-safety data is generated completely by the company either in its own laboratories or in other private laboratories .

The decision is the outcome of an application filed by Greenpeace on February 23, 2006, asking for the toxicity, allergenicity and other relevant data for transgenic brinjal, rice, okra and mustard.

On the disclosure of data pertaining to rice, okra and mustard, the Commission directed the DBT to provide a timeframe by when it would be made available.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Glimpses of some special residents of Delhi
Foreign participants doing well at Trade Fair
A royal drive for a noble cause
BSES trains its guns on RWAs
Apollo doctors help bed-ridden patient walk again
God’s story
‘Construction workers to get social security’
Experts seek simpler tax laws for better collections
Greetings on ‘Prakash Utsav’
Award for DPS Principal
Documentation workshops planned
Asian doctors meeting in Delhi
JE beaten up
Queen’s University, JNU join hands
Court notice to U.P., Centre on rallies
Infiltration attempts on the rise in J&K, says Army Chief
“Make public bio-safety data on GM brinjal”
2-year RI for Ansals
Cheaper calls
Nod for farmers policy
Summoned
BJP defends Taslima’s right to live in India
JNUSU up in arms over UGC circular
Delhi court committee to study damage caused by plastic bags
Journalists to march towards Parliament
An evening of Korean dance
Accident averted at Delhi airport
LJP to go it alone in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu