In a move to strengthen transparency and accountability, the Indian government has proposed amendments to the rules governing the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), the apex body responsible for approving and regulating genetically modified (GM) organisms, crops, and related products in the country.
According to an official notification issued on December 31, GEAC members will now be required to disclose any personal or professional interests that might influence their judgment. Additionally, they must abstain from participating in discussions or decisions where such conflicts exist.
To ensure compliance, experts joining the committee will be mandated to submit written declarations of any potential conflicts of interest. These declarations must also be updated regularly if new circumstances arise. In cases of ambiguity regarding a conflict, the final decision will rest with the committee chairman.
The proposed changes are rooted in the 1989 rules, which govern the manufacture, use, import, export, and storage of hazardous microorganisms and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). These regulations were originally designed to safeguard environmental and human health.
This initiative follows a split Supreme Court verdict in July last year concerning petitions challenging the approval of GM mustard. Justice BV Nagarathna, one of the two judges on the bench, had invalidated the approval, citing procedural lapses and concerns over potential conflicts of interest.
The government has opened the proposed amendments for public objections and suggestions, with stakeholders given a 60-day window to submit their feedback. The move is expected to enhance transparency and public trust in decisions concerning GM crop approvals in India.