With reference to the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), consider the following statements: 1. It is a statutory body constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. The 2025 proposed amendments to the 1989 Rules mandate its members to disclose conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from relevant discussions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question

Accepted Answer

C. Both 1 and 2 — Statement 1 is correct: GEAC functions under the Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Statement 2 is correct: Following a 2024 Supreme Court directive, the MoEFCC proposed draft amendments in January 2025 to enforce strict conflict of interest and recusal rules for GEAC members.

MoEFCC Proposes Conflict of Interest Rules for GEAC

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