Question

Which of the following statements is correct regarding the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAL)?
A) It makes decisions regarding the validity of GM research.
B) It ensures the safety of introducing GM-organisms for public services.
C) Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredictable results when such organisms are introduced into the ecosystem. Therefore, the Indian government has set up organizations such as GEAC.
D) All of these.

Answer 1

Genetic engineering approval committee was set up under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, Climate change (MoEF&CC;) in 1989. It is a statutory body which functions under the “Rules of manufacture, use/import/export and storage of hazardous microorganisms/genetically modified organisms, 1989 notified as per the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

Complete answer:
Genetic engineering approval committee has major roles to play in ensuring safety in the ecosystem. It has to make decisions regarding the validity of genetically modified (GM) research. It has to ensure the safety after the introduction of GM organisms for public services. Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredictable results when such organisms are introduced into the ecosystem. To check this government of India has set up an organization such as GEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee). Since GEAL performs all the above functions the answer is Option D.GEAC has the power to take punitive action against people/body under the Environment (Protection) Act. The approval of the GEAC is mandatory before genetically modified organisms and products derived from them can be used commercially.

Hence, the correct answer is Option ‘D’.

Note: Genetic engineering approval committee (GEAL) was set up in 1989and was renamed as Genetic engineering appraisal committee (GEAC) in 2010. The function of this body remains the same and it is chaired by MoEF&CC; and co-chaired by DBT.