The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)?
What is the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)?
Overview:
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has revised the rules governing the selection process of experts for the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
About GEAC:
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is a statutory body established under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (1989),” formulated under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Previously known as the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, its name was updated to the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee in 2010.
GEAC operates within the MoEF&CC and serves several key functions:
- Evaluating activities involving large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinant organisms from an environmental perspective in research and industry.
- Reviewing proposals for the release of genetically engineered organisms and products, including field trials.
- Monitoring and regulating the import, export, and usage of genetically modified (GM) organisms and crops.
- Granting mandatory clearances for the environmental release of GM crops.
- Exercising punitive authority under the Environment Protection Act.
Composition:
The committee is chaired by the Special Secretary or Additional Secretary of the MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). It comprises 24 members, including experts from ministries and institutions like ICAR, ICMR, and CCMB, and holds monthly meetings.
New Rules Governing the Selection of Experts:
Recent amendments require expert members to disclose potential conflicts of interest. Key provisions include:
- Experts must declare any interests that could interfere with their duties.
- Any potential conflict of interest must be disclosed prior to committee meetings, and experts are expected to recuse themselves unless explicitly asked to participate.
- Selected members must provide a detailed record of their professional affiliations over the past decade.
Background on the Amendments:
These rules were introduced following a Supreme Court directive in July 2023, which called for a national policy on GM crops. The Court, delivering a split verdict on the validity of the Centre’s conditional approval for GM mustard crop release, emphasized the need for processes to address conflicts of interest.
The concern about conflicts of interest stems from allegations in 2013 by the Coalition for GM-Free India. They claimed a member of a Technical Expert Committee appointed by the Supreme Court was associated with an organization funded by Monsanto (now Bayer CropScience Limited), which raised questions about impartiality in decision-making.
FAQs
What is the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)?
The GEAC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). It regulates the use, manufacture, import, export, and storage of genetically engineered organisms, cells, and hazardous microorganisms in India.
Who is known as the father of genetic engineering?
Paul Berg (1926–2023), often referred to as the “father of genetic engineering,” is renowned for his pioneering work in recombinant DNA technology and for organizing the landmark Asilomar Conference.
What is the function of the GEAC?
The primary functions of the GEAC include:
Reviewing activities involving large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in industrial and research setups.
Appraising proposals for the environmental release of genetically engineered organisms, including field trials.
Regulating the storage, import, and export of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Granting mandatory clearances for environmental release of GM crops.
What is the new name of the GEAC?
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee was formerly known as the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee. The name was officially changed in 2010 through a Gazette notification.
Who is the chairman of the GEAC?
October 2024, the chairman of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is Shri Amandeep Garg. The co-chairman is Dr. Sanjay Kumar Mishra, and the vice-chairman is SHRI RAGHU KUMAR KODALI.
What is the aim of the GEAC?
The GEAC aims to balance the benefits of biotechnology in fields like agriculture and healthcare while ensuring the safety of human health and the environment.
Who is considered the mother of genetics?
Rosalind Franklin is often regarded as the “mother of genetics” due to her crucial work on the double-helix structure of DNA, although she was primarily a chemist.
Who is the father of DNA science?
Dr. James D. Watson is widely recognized as the father of DNA science for his groundbreaking work on elucidating the double-helix structure of DNA.
Who is the natural genetic engineer of plants?
Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a bacterium that naturally transfers genetic material to plants, is called the natural genetic engineer of plants.
What is the first genetically modified organism?
The first genetically modified organism (GMO) was a bacterium created by Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen in 1973. The first transgenic animal, a mouse, was created in 1974 by Rudolf Jaenisch.
What is the significance of Golden Rice?
Golden Rice is a genetically modified crop engineered to produce provitamin A (beta-carotene) in the edible parts of rice, addressing vitamin A deficiency. It has been deemed safe to eat like other GM foods.
What are the objectives of the GEAC?
The primary objectives of GEAC include:
Validating the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for public use.
Approving or rejecting large-scale GMO research and commercial applications.
What is the full form of GMO and LMO?
GMO: Genetically Modified Organism
LMO: Living Modified Organism
What is the first GM crop?
The first genetically modified plant was an antibiotic-resistant tobacco plant produced in 1983. The Flavr Savr tomato, commercialized in 1994, was the first GM food.
Who discovered GMOs?
Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen are credited with creating the first genetically modified organism in 1973.
What is Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11)?
DMH-11 is a genetically modified mustard hybrid developed to improve seed production and reduce India’s dependency on edible oil imports.
What are the benefits of transgenic animals?
Transgenic animals contribute significantly to human health by:
Enhancing nutrition.
Reducing livestock disease.
Improving animal welfare.
Offering solutions for environmental sustainability.
What is a plasmid?
A plasmid is a small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria that replicates independently from chromosomal DNA and is commonly used in genetic engineering.
What is the aim of genetic engineering?
The aim of genetic engineering is to modify organisms by inserting specific genes to achieve desirable traits, such as improving crop yield, producing therapeutic drugs, or creating disease-resistant organisms.
What is the first commercial GM food product?
The first commercially approved GM product was human insulin in 1982, produced through genetic engineering to treat diabetes.
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