Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
Statutory committee constituted under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/ Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (Rules, 1989)”
Framed under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
It was formed as the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee and was renamed to its current name in 2010.
It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change.
The body regulates the use, manufacture, storage, import and export of hazardous microorganisms or genetically-engineered organisms and cells in India.
GEAC Functions
The GEAC is the apex biotech regulatory body in India.
It is responsible for the appraisal of activities that involve the large scale use of hazardous microbes and recombinants in research and industrial production from the point of view of the environment.
The GEAC also assesses proposals regarding the release of genetically engineered products and organisms into the environment, and this includes experimental field trials as well.
The body also looks into proposals regarding the use of living modified organism that comes in the risk category III and above in the import/manufacture of recombinant pharma products, or where the end-product of the recombinant pharma product is a modified living organism.
The Committee 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.
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