The Supreme Court has given approval for conducting field trials of genetically modified seeds but with certain restrictions. The
genetically modified (GM) crops are expected to increase productivity, reduce crop losses due to worm attacks and lower pesticide use. This permission will help in large-scale field trials of BT brinjal of Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco).
India is doing field trials of GM seeds of mustard, corn, cauliflower, brinjal, rice, etc and expecting to repeat the results of GM cottonseeds. The restriction came in the form of increase
in the isolation distance between the GM crop fields and other fields. Earlier there was no such isolation restriction. The court said that a designated scientist would make sure that all the conditions are complied with during the trial.
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