A new set of guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocol for safety assessment of genetically engineered plants and foods derived from genetically engineered plants introduced by the Review Committee on the Genetic Modification (RCGM) were adopted by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) in India. The new set of procedures is a step in the direction of implementing rigorous and sound science-based-approval-system for genetically modified crops and foods in India.

The new system which is built on the inter-ministerial expertise on biotechnology including the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Health will replace the existing cumbersome approval system. The new system includes:

• Guidelines for the conduct of field trials of regulated, genetically engineered plants in India and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Protocol for safety assessment of genetically engineered plants
• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines for the safety of foods derived from genetically engineered plants in India.

For details of the new guidelines for GE plants and foods derived from the GM plants, contact Dr KK Tripathi, Advisor, DBT at kkt@dbt.nic.in and visit the Indian GMOs Research Information System for detail at: http://www.igmoris.nic.in/. Decision taken by the GEAC regarding adoption of new set of guidelines at: http://www.envfor.nic.in/divisions/csurv/geac/decision-june-85.pdf. For more information about biotech development in India contact: b.choudhary@isaaa.org.
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