New Delhi, Aug 12 (IANS) The Supreme Court Tuesday issued notice to the government on a plea seeking a ban on the release of genetically modified food crops in the country. A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan issued the notice on a lawsuit by Aruna Rodrigues, an activist from Kerala, apprehending a grave danger to human health and environment from the release of as yet scientifically and authentically untested genetically modified (GM) foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMO).

The bench, which also included Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice J.M. Panchal, asked the government to respond to Rodrigues’ plea within two weeks.

In the petition, Rodrigues also demanded “ban on import of any genetically modified product or food produce containing GMOs”.

The petitioner also sought directions to the government to establish an autonomous institution in the public sector for comprehensive testing facilities for genetically modified food or crops and assessing the risk of environmental contamination involved in their release.

Rodrigues sought a “complete moratorium on the release of any genetically modified organism in the environment, without evolution of a comprehensive, transparent and rigorous bio-safety protocol”.