Which body of the Government of India regulates GM research and safety of introducing GM organisms for public services?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Genetic Engineering Approval Committee
Option (1) Genetic Engineering Authority Committee — Incorrect. There is no such body; the ‘A’ in GEAC stands for Approval.
Option (2) Research Committee on Genetic Manipulation — Incorrect. It is not the body NCERT names for this role.
Option (3) Bio-safety committee — Incorrect. NCERT names GEAC, not a bio-safety committee, as the deciding body.
Option (4) Genetic Engineering Approval Committee — Correct. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) is the body NCERT names. The ‘A’ stands for Approval: GM research and GM organisms need its approval before they are used.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2025 on 22-05-2025 (Slot 2).
NCERT Extract:
Ethical Issues – “… Going beyond the morality of such issues, the biological significance of such things is also important. Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredicatable results when such organisms are introduced into the ecosystem. Therefore, the Indian Government has set up organisations such as GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee), which will make decisions regarding the validity of GM research and the safety of introducing GM-organisms for public services.”