GENECTIC
ENGINEERING APPRAISAL COMMITTEE: ENVIRONMENT
NEWS: Experts on GM crop committees to declare
conflict of interest
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
The Ministry of Environment has amended rules for selecting expert
members of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) to address
conflict-of-interest concerns. These changes enhance transparency in regulating
genetically modified organisms, aligning with Supreme Court directives.
Amendments
to GEAC Rules
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), a
regulatory body responsible for assessing and approving genetically modified
(GM) organisms in India, has revised its rules for selecting expert members.
These changes aim to address long-standing concerns about conflicts of interest
in decision-making processes and ensure greater transparency and
accountability.
Key Amendments:
- Disclosure
of Interests:
- Expert members must now disclose any direct or indirect
interests that could conflict with their duties, including financial
ties, affiliations with biotechnology companies, or involvement in
advocacy groups.
- This ensures impartiality in decisions related to GM crops and
organisms.
- Recusal
from Discussions:
- Experts with potential conflicts of interest must recuse
themselves from meetings or deliberations unless specifically requested
to participate.
- This step prevents undue influence in the decision-making
process.
- Detailed
Affiliation Form:
- Members are required to disclose professional affiliations from
the last 10 years before joining GEAC.
- This rule provides a comprehensive view of potential biases
stemming from past associations.
Supreme
Court’s Role and Concerns about GM Mustard
The Supreme Court played a significant role in pushing
for reforms in GEAC.
- Split
Verdict on GM Mustard (July 2023):
- The Centre approved GM mustard for environmental release in
2022, sparking controversy.
- The SC delivered a split verdict, with two judges providing
differing opinions on the validity of the approval.
- The final decision remains pending before a future bench.
- Directives
on Conflict of Interest:
- Both judges agreed on the importance of rules to address
potential conflicts of interest in decision-making bodies like the GEAC.
Background
of Conflict Allegations
Concerns over conflict of interest in regulatory bodies
are not new:
- 2013
Allegations:
- The Coalition for GM-Free India alleged that a member of the
SC-appointed Technical Expert Committee had ties to Monsanto, a leading
biotech and pesticide company.
- The member reportedly managed an organization funded by
Monsanto, raising questions about the impartiality of recommendations on
GM crops.
- Public
Skepticism:
- Such allegations have fueled mistrust among the public about the
transparency of GM crop approvals.
Significance
of the Amendments
- Enhanced
Transparency:
- Requiring disclosures and recusals ensures that regulatory
decisions are free from undue influence and reflect public and scientific
interests.
- Accountability:
- By aligning with Supreme Court directives, the amendments set a precedent
for regulatory fairness and improve public trust.
- Promotes
Fair GM Crop Regulation:
- A robust and impartial framework is essential for deciding the
fate of GM crops like GM mustard, which have far-reaching implications
for agriculture and biodiversity.
Next Steps
- National
Policy on GM Crops:
- The Centre is expected to draft a comprehensive national policy
on GM crops, per the SC’s 2023 order.
- Judicial
Oversight:
- The Supreme Court’s final resolution on GM mustard and its
broader implications will shape the regulatory landscape for GM organisms
in India.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/experts-on-gm-crop-committees-to-declare-conflict-of-interest/article69053648.ece