Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) - Functions, Composition, Approved Products & More

Genetic Engineering Assessment Committee (GEAC) was formed to regulate GM crop research, testing, food safety, and organism release. The Genetic Engineering Assessment Committee is constituted under the Environment Protection Act of 1986. It is India's main biotech regulatory body. GEAC was established by the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests department. 

GEAC is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the Environment subject in the General Studies Paper-3 syllabus and current events of national importance in the UPSC prelims syllabus.

This article will shed light on the composition and functions of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).

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What is Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)?

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the governing organisation that approves the commercial distribution of genetically modified (GM) crops. The GEAC of the Environment Ministry examines GM import requests. It makes a recommendation to accept or reject the proposal.

Functions of GEAC

• This committee’s primary job is to approve or refuse certain activities.
• In the case of large-scale field testing, deregulation, and commercialization, GEAC permission is required in addition to DBT approval.
• Specifically, GEAC permission is necessary from an environmental standpoint.
• Import, export, transport, manufacture, process, and sell any microorganisms, genetically modified substances, or cells, including foodstuffs and additives containing products produced through gene therapy.
• Release of genetically engineered/classified organisms/cells into the environment from laboratories, hospitals, and similar locations.
• Use of genetically modified organisms/classified microorganisms on a large scale in industrial production and applications. After receiving such permission, production can begin.
• Intentional release of genetically modified organisms.

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Composition of GEAC

• The following is the composition of the GEAC as specified in Rules 1989:
• The GEAC Chairman is the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF & CC). The co-chairman is the Department of Biotechnology Representative.
• Members: Representatives from the Ministry of Industrial Development, the Department of Biotechnology, and the Department of Atomic Energy.
• Members of the expert committee include the Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research, the Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Director General of Health Services, the Plant Protection Adviser, the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, the Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board, and three outside experts.
• A member secretary is a Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change official (MoEF&CC).
• Other members/experts may be co-opted by the committee as needed.

Current Composition of GEAC

The current composition of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is as follows:

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Products Approved by GEAC

The GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee) has approved various products in India. 

Recombinant Therapeutics

• Human insulin
• Erythropoietin
• Hepatitis B vaccine (recombinant surface antigen-based)

Bt Cotton

• MON 531 Event
• GFM cry1A Event
• JK Event 1
• MON 15985 Event
• MLS 9124 Event

Crops

GEAC has also approved the following crops for environmental release:

• Bt Brinjal
• Bt Maize
• Mustard Herbicide Tolerant (HT)
• Chickpea Herbicide Tolerant (HT)
• Soybean Herbicide Tolerant (HT)
• Cotton Herbicide Tolerant (HT)
• Rice Herbicide Tolerant (HT)

In this article, we analyse the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functioning for the UPSC Exam. Ace your UPSC preparation with our UPSC Online Coaching, and download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.