Indian GM Seeds Expert Selection Rules

• The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has revised rules for the selection of experts to the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).

• The new rules require experts to disclose any conflicts of interest that could affect their duties.

• Experts with direct or indirect association with a matter discussed in a meeting must disclose this prior to the meeting.

• Unless requested by the committee, the expert is expected to recuse themselves from the meeting.

• All selected members must fill out a form detailing their professional affiliations to a decade prior to joining the committee.

• The rules follow a split verdict from the Supreme Court in July 2023, which ruled on the validity of the Centre’s 2022 decision granting conditional approval for GM mustard crops.