Independent scientists will now be able to examine raw data on GM crops, to examine if they are really safe. The Supreme Court has directed the Union environment and forest ministry to put up all data related to safety of Bt cotton on its website.
A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justice R Rabindran and Justice Dalbeer Singh asked the ministry on Wednesday to publish the “allergenicity” and “toxicity” data on its website.
The disclosure – so far thwarted by the ministry officials on propriety grounds – will allow independent scientists to examine the raw data to check if the GM crops are really safe.
Only one genetically modified crop, Bt cotton, is permitted for commercial cultivation in India so far. But some of the non governmental organisations claim that sheep and goats roaming in Bt cotton fields in Andhra Pradesh died mysteriously. 
Representing the government, Additional Solicitor General Amarender Saran told the apex court that the ministry was willing to share the toxicity and allergenecity data.
The genetic engineering approval committee (GEAC) under the ministry is the final authority to allow commercialisation of all GM products in India.
The government’s response came during the hearing of a petition filed by activist Aruna Rodrigues, who said the government did not create the minimum infrastructure required for testing the GM crops and carried out the trials in a clandestine manner, without informing the states.  “The data pertains to people’s health in the long run and independent scientists must verify it rather than believing the crop developers on their face value,” she told Deccan Herald.  The documents obtained by her through RTI – filed the Supreme Court with the petition – show that basic institutions mandated under the EPA 1989 Rules like state biotechnology coordination committees (SBCC) are missing in states like Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.