The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the Department of Biotechnology (DoBT) to disclose in public interest the information regarding bio-safety data on genetically modified crops. Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah said, “Perusal of the rules made in connection with the application of gene-technology and micro organisms makes it quite clear that genetically engineered organism or cells are recognised by the Government as an item potentially hazardous to public health, and full compliance with these rules is a matter of public interest. Therefore, we cannot agree that inspection of this information can be provided only in a restricted environment to members representing civil society.”The order came on a complaint filed by environmental activist Divya Raghunandan who sought from the DoBT information on toxicity, allergenicity and any other relevant data gathered by the Government during field trials of transgenic rice, okra , mustard and brinjal. The DoBT did not provide the information on the ground that the data is under consideration of Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) and thus cannot be given. However, the complainants contended that the real reason behind the non-disclosure of information was to protect the interest of the company as the above said crops have not yet been permitted for sale in the market and the requested data might expose the shortcomings of the product. The complaint was filed following the non-compliance with the order of the CIC which on April 13 directed the DoBT to provide available information relating to these genetically modified crops to Raghunandan.Rejecting the DoBT's contention that the data is still in process of development, the commission directed the department to provide the available information on BT-brinjal and give a timeframe to the complainant by which details on bio-safety data regarding the remaining three crops could be given. The panel also rejected the plea of a private company - Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Limited (MAHYCO) — seeking impleadment in the proceedings as a third party on the ground that any disclosure of data on toxicity and allergenicity studies of BT brinjal would affect its commercial interests.Welcoming the commission's decision, Raghunandan said that an independent analysis of this bio-safety data would be conducted to understand its health and safety implications. “Past examples show that certain companies have misled the European governments by using faulty statistical analysis. Hence, there is a need for immediate analysis of the available data in India,” she said.
