Genetic Engineering — Tech Evolutions

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
N/A (Policy/Rules Evolution)	1989	The 'Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989' were notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These rules established the comprehensive regulatory framework for genetic engineering in India, including the creation of Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBSCs), the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), and the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).	This notification provided the legal and institutional backbone for regulating all aspects of genetic engineering activities in India, from laboratory research to commercial release, ensuring biosafety and environmental protection. It made GEAC the final authority for environmental release of GMOs.
N/A (Policy Clarification)	2022	The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued an office memorandum clarifying that organisms developed using certain gene-editing techniques (Site-Directed Nuclease 1 and 2, or SDN-1 and SDN-2) that do not involve the introduction of foreign DNA, would be exempted from the stringent biosafety regulations applicable to conventional Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) under the 1989 Rules.	This policy clarification aims to streamline the regulatory process for gene-edited crops, potentially accelerating their research, development, and market access in India. It differentiates between various types of genetic modifications based on their perceived risk profile, aligning India with global trends in gene-editing regulation and potentially boosting agricultural innovation.