GM crop regulator tightens conflict of interest clause

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has further tightened its ‘Conflict of Interest Clause’ saying its members will not be allowed to participate in meetings even if their spouse or children are found to be involved in projects for developing transgenic crops.

Officials said the conflict of interest clause was tightened after reports that a prominent member of the committee influenced a decision on field trials of GM rice in favour of a close relative.

A few months back, another senior member of the GEAC P Anandakumar had resigned following similar allegations. However, those close to Kumar said the reasons behind his decision to resign had nothing to with the reports.

They said he was dissatisfied with the “politicisation” of the regulator and its lack of scientific approach.

At the GEAC meeting last week, the regulator for genetic modified crops has also decided that members who have acted as a consultant to an industry body or research foundation involved in developing transgenic crop, cannot participate in those discussions when the projects come up for approval.

GEAC receives applications for field trials or conducting research on genetic crops and issues approvals based on numerous parameters. The appraisal committee has said it is mandatory for organisations to get a no-objection certificate from states before they apply for conducting field trials of GM crops.

The decision was taken following complaints from a few states that they had no knowledge of the field trials of GM crops conducted in their states.