NEWS – The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has amended rules for the selection of experts to the GEAC.

ABOUT GEAC

Statutory Basis:

• Constituted under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro Organisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (Rules, 1989)” framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Renamed from Genetic Engineering Approval Committee to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee in 2010.

Supervisory Authority:

• Functions under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

FUNCTIONS OF GEAC

• Environmental Appraisal:
  • Appraises activities involving large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production.
• Regulation of GMOs:
  • Appraises proposals for the release of genetically engineered organisms/products into the environment, including experimental field trials.
• Compliance and Enforcement:
  • Holds powers to take punitive action under the Environment Protection Act.
• Oversight on GM Crops:
  • Monitors the use, import, export, and clearance of GM organisms and crops.
  • Mandatory Clearance:
    • GEAC approval is required for the environmental release of GM crops.

Composition

• Leadership:
  • Chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC.
  • Co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
• Members:
  • Comprises 24 members, including experts from various ministries and institutions like ICAR, ICMR, and CCMB.
  • Meetings are conducted monthly.

NEW RULES FOR EXPERT SELECTION

Disclosure of Interests:

• Conflict of Interest:
  • Expert members must disclose any personal or professional interests that could conflict with their duties.
  • Ensure these conflicts do not affect GEAC’s decisions.
• Prior Disclosure:
  • Experts with direct or indirect association with matters under discussion must disclose such associations before meetings.
• Recusal:
  • Experts must recuse themselves unless specifically requested to participate in discussions.

Background Information:

• Selected members must provide a detailed account of their professional affiliations from the past 10 years before joining the committee.