FOCUS ON ASIA
http://www.gmwatch.org/p1temp.asp?pid=42&page=1

GEAC is India's statutory body for GM crop assessment and approvals:

"Those of us who work for independent science, protection of environment and public health are calling for a 'GEAC Plus', aimed at strengthening regulation for biosafety by enhancing the capacities of the environment ministry in collaboration with the health and agriculture ministries. Strengthening regulation for biosafety is also required under the Cartagena Protocol. Industry however wants a 'GEAC Minus'; creating a fast track single window clearance to substitute GEAC. " - Vandana Shiva
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Regulating Biotechnology
VANDANA SHIVA
Financial Express, August 14, 2004
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=65892

In the three decades of development of genetic engineering biotechnology, there have been two generations of regulatory frameworks. In 1972, scientists imposed a moratorium through the Asilomar declaration. And in 1989, under the Environment (Protection) Act, GEAC, a statutory body for assessment and approvals was created. The environment ministry was made the regulatory body for approvals and the ministry of science and technology was the promotional body for research funding. Thus, it’s inappropriate for the S&T minister, Kapil Sibal, to define the regulatory framework for biotechnology.

That said, there's clearly a need to strengthen the regulatory framework to respond to challenges especially commercialisation. Those of us who work for independent science, protection of environment and public health are calling for a 'GEAC Plus', aimed at strengthening regulation for biosafety by enhancing the capacities of the environment ministry in collaboration with the health and agriculture ministries. Strengthening regulation for biosafety is also required under the Cartagena Protocol. Industry however wants a 'GEAC Minus'; creating a fast track single window clearance to substitute GEAC.

This demand is in fact a call for deregulation and is reflected in the proposal for a biotechnology regulator acting outside the framework of multidisciplinary assessments. Genetic engineering has multiple impacts - on environment, on biodiversity, on health, on livelihoods, on farmers' choices. The most important regulation for biotech is to ensure biosafety. Upgrading environment ministry as the nodal regulatory ministry is a democratic, scientific and public interest imperative.