Supreme Court Lifts Ban on Planting GM Alfalfa
By JENNIFER KOONS of Greenwire
Published: June 21, 2010
In its first ruling on genetically engineered crops, the Supreme Court today overturned a lower court's decision prohibiting Monsanto Co. from selling pesticide-resistant alfalfa seeds until the government completes an environmental impact study.
"An injunction is a drastic and extraordinary remedy, which should not be granted as a matter of course," Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the 7-1 majority.
A U.S. District Court in San Francisco "abused its discretion" in 2007 when it ruled that the government needed to examine the modified breed's environmental impact, Alito wrote.
"The District Court abused its discretion in enjoining APHIS [the Agriculture Department's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] from effecting a partial deregulation and in prohibiting the possibility of planting in accordance with the terms of such a deregulation," the justice argued. Read More
The Supreme Court was pretty adamant in overturning the 9th Circuit Court decision. With all decisions like this, we need to get it out of the hands of the lawyers and put it in the hands of competent scientists and researchers so the facts can guide our actions. Genetically enhancing our crops and livestock has allowed human beings to prevent mass starvation due to a lack of resources. This technology will become even more critical as we move forward.
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