UPSC Prelims 2015 · Question 63 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2015 question on Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2015
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectEnvironment and Ecology
- TopicBiodiversity
- DifficultyEasy
- TypeDirect
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the
Show answer
Answer: C. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Verdict
The answer is the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under rules framed under that Act.
Analysis
GEAC is the apex body in the Ministry of Environment and Forests constituted under the Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms and Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989, which are framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It appraises proposals for the release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment. The Food Safety and Standards Act deals with food safety, the Geographical Indications Act with origin based intellectual property, and the Wildlife Act with species and protected areas.
Source
Ministry of Environment and Forests material on GEAC clearances.
How to crack it
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is an umbrella statute, so an unusually wide range of rules and bodies hang from it, including GEAC, Eco-Sensitive Zones, coastal regulation and hazardous waste rules. When a question asks which Act a cross cutting environmental body sits under, the 1986 Act is the strongest default. Then confirm with the subject test: genetic engineering release is an environmental risk question, which points to the environment ministry rather than to food, wildlife or intellectual property law.
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