The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stop the Government’s Genetic Engineering Advisory Committee (GEAC) from examining applications for field trials of Genetically Modified (GM) crops. It, however, asked the panel to include eminent scientists M S Swaminathan and P M Bhargava as special invitees at the time of considering applications, for more “transparency” in its proceedings.

Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan questioned the interest and motive behind the petitions —filed by NGO Gene Campaign and activist Aruna Rodrigues — and sought to know, “how such petitions are filed, we don’t understand.”

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for Rodrigues, raised his hands in despair, moved aside and refused to argue before the Bench. After an apology from Bhushan, the Bench while accepting it asked the advocate to “not to throw tantrum like this. You must answer every query posed by the Bench.” It finally took into consideration some of the fears raised by the petitioners.

Agreeing with the submission of Additional Solicitor General B Dutta, who felt the court should stay away from these technical matters, the Bench, also comprising Justices R V Raveendran and J M Panchal, said, “We can’t run the GEAC”.

The petitioners had alleged that the GEAC, Government’s apex regulatory body, was not properly constituted and in the absence of proper safety guidelines, allowing open field trials for the transgenic seeds may lead to contamination of related species. They had also claimed the co-chairman of the panel had conflicting interest as he was on the board of an NGO funded by an MNC involved in the business.

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