Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) in the Dept. of Biotechnology

Main functions

To bring out manuals of guidelines specifying producers for regulatory process on GMOs in research, use and applications including in industry with a view to ensure environmental safety.

To review all on going r-DNA projects involving high risk category and controlled field experiments

To lay down producers for restriction or prohibition, production, sale, import & use of GMOs both for research and applications.

To permit experiments with category III risks and above with appropriate containment.

To authorize imports of GMOs/ transgenes/ transgenic seeds for research purposes.

To guide the applicant to generate relevant biosafety data on transgenic materials in appropriate test systems.

To examine information on preparation of MCB and WCB; QC tests conducted on the cell line; approaches adopted for expression of target gene in the host cell line; genetic analysis including copy number of inserts, stability;  level of expression of target gene; description of production process;  growth kinetics; fermentation parameters; in-process control measures; quality control & quality assurance data;  approaches adopted for extraction and purification of the target gene product; examine data on physico-chemical, biochemical, immunological and pharmacological  characterization of the bulk; characterization of the finished formulation; acceptability criteria for bulk and formulation as per IP, USP, BP or other national/international specifications etc; efficacy tests on the target product; trial batch fermentation data on the product; estimation of contaminants like DNA, RNA, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins etc, derived from the host organism and any toxic processing materials in the product;

To approve the protocols for conducting animal toxicity and allergenicity studies and examination of in-process and final QC data on the product etc; to submit its recommendation on the preclinical studies/data directly to the DCGI; for the products from Risk group III & above organisms, to examine the information on containment facilities at the R&D and production sites as well as the results of the pre-clinical studies and submit their recommendations both to the GEAC and DCGI.

To authorize field experiments in 20 acres in multi-locations in one crop season with up to one acre at one site.

To examine the data generated in the Lab & Green house on the points like: source and sequence of trans-gene; cloning strategy; characteristics of expression vector(s); characteristics of inserted genes with detailed sequences; characteristics of promoters; transformation/cloning methods of target gene; genetic analysis including copy number of inserts, stability, level of expression of trans-gene, characterization of expressed gene product; mode of action of gene product; compositional analysis; description of the host plant; rationale for the development of transgenic plants in terms of agronomic, nutritional and other benefits; centers of origin of the host plant; geographical distribution of the host plant in the country of development;

To evaluate the data on back crossing duration; seed setting characteristics; germination rates; phenotypic characteristics; target gene efficacy tests; observations on the implications of toxicity and allergenicity, if any during handling, etc. (These points are indicative only. Depending up on the nature and characteristics of the target gene & the transgenic crop additional information may require to be generated). 

Also to evaluate information generated during the contained open field trials on the transgenic crops on the points like: comparison of germination rates and phenotypic characteristics; study of gene flow; possibility of transfer of gene to near relatives through out crossing; implications of out crossing; invasiveness; possibility of weed formation; susceptibility to diseases and pests; toxicity and allergenicity implications of plants/fruits/seeds and any other plant parts; food/feed  safety evaluation in animals; handling procedures for allergenic substances; agronomic advantages etc.

To inform and recommend to the GEAC about the containment facilities at R&D and production sites.

(Copied from www.dbtbiosafety.nic.in website)

REVIEW COMMITTEE ON GENETIC MANIPULATION : COMPOSITION

S. No.

Name, Designation and Address

Position

1.

Dr. V.P. Kamboj, Ex-Director, CDRI and

CSIR Emeritus Scientist,

Central Drug Research Institute,

Chattar Manzil, Post Box. No. 173,

Lucknow - 226 001.

e-mail: kambojvp@yahoo.com

Chairman

2.

Prof. M. Udaya Kumar, Professor,                      

Department of Crop Physiology,

University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal,

GKVK, Bangalore -  560 065.

Phone: 080-2363 6713

e-mail: udayakumar_m@yahoo.com

Co-Chairman

3.

Dr. N.T. Yaduraju, Principal Scientist

Division of Agronomy,

Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI),    Pusa Campus, New Delhi ‑ 110 012.

Phone: 011-2584 1488; 

Fax :    011-2584 6420

e-mail: yaduraju@yahoo.co.uk

Member

4.

Dr. Rakesh Tuli (CSIR Nominee)

National Botanical Research Institute,

Rana Pratap Marg, P.B. No. 436,

Lucknow - 226 001.

Phone: 0522-220 5849# 324:

Fax:      0522-220 5836

e-mail: rakeshtuli@hotmail.com; rakeshtuli23@rediffmail.com

Member

5.

Dr. J. Nagaraju, Staff Scientist& Chief,

Laboratory of Molecular genetics,

Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics,

4-87/1, ECIL Road, Nacharam,

Hyderabad - 500 076.

Phone: 040-2717 1427(D); 040-2715 1344# 1100(O), 1120(L)

Fax: 040-2715 5610/2715 5479

e-mail: jnagaraju@mailcity.com

Member

6.

Dr. T.P. Rajendran, ADG (Plant Protection)

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR),

Krishi Bhawan,

New Delhi - 110 001.

e-mail: tprajendran@yahoo.com

Member

7.

Dr. V.V.S. Suryanarayana, Principal Scientist,

Indian Veterinary Research Institute,

Hebbal, Bangalore - 560 024.

Phone: 080-2341 8078

e-mail: veluvarthy@yahoo.com

 Member

8.

Dr. B.M. Khadi, Director,

Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR),

(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)

Post Bag No. 2, Shankar Nagar P.O.,

Nagpur - 440 010.

Phone: 07103-275 536

Fax :     07103-275 529

e-mail: cicrngp@rediffmail.com

Member

9.

Dr. A.R. Reddy, Professor,   

Department of Plant Sciences,

School of Life Sciences,

University of Hyderabad,

Hyderabad - 500 046.

Phone: 040-2301 0265;

Fax:     040 2301 0145

e-mail: arjulsl@uohyd.ernet.in

Member

10.

Dr. V. Siva Reddy, Group Leader,   

Plant Biology: Plant transformation,

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology,

P.O. Box No. 10504,

Aruna Asaf Ali Marg,  New Delhi - 110 067. 

Phone: 011-2618 1212(L); 2618 9358/9360/ 94361/2619 5007 # 351

Fax :    011-2616 2316

e-mail: vsreddy@icgeb.res.in

Member

11.

Prof. Har Narayan Gour,

Professor and Head,

Department of Plant Pathology,

Rajasthan College of Agriculture,

Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and technology

Udaipur - 313 001, Rajasthan.

Phone: 0294-241 3612;

Fax:     0294-242 0447

e-mail: gour_hn@sancharnet.in

Member

12.

Dr. Rakesh K. Jain, Scientist-F,      

Institute of Microbial Technology,

Sector 39A, Chandigarh - 160 036

Phone: 0172-269 0908/5215/5225

Fax:    0172-269 0585/0632

E-mail:rkj@imtech.res.in; rakesh110@yahoo.com

Member

13.

Dr. Hemant J. Purohit, Head,

Environmental Genomics Unit,

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI),

Nehru Marg, Nagpur - 440 020.

Phone: 0712-2241 974;

Telfax: 0712-2249 883

e-mail: hemanthdrd@hotmail.com

Member

14.

Dr. A.K. Panda, Staff Scientist,

National Institute of Immunology,

Aruna Asaf Ali Marg,

New Delhi - 110 067

Member

15.

Dr. P. Kondaiah, Professor,  

Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development & Genetics,

Indian Institute of Science, Maleswaram,

Bangalore - 560 012.

Phone: 080-2293 2688

Fax :    080-23360 0999

e-mail: paturu@mrdg.iisc.ernet.in

Member

16.

Dr. Debi P. Sarkar,   

Professor & Head,

Department of Biochemistry,

University of Delhi South Campus,

Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi - 110 021.

Phone: 011-2411 1967/2411 6178 (L)

Fax:     011-2411 0283/ 2411 5270

e-mail: dpsarkar59@rediffmail.com

Member

17.

Dr. B. Sesikeran, Dy. Director,

Head Pathology Division,               

National Institute of Nutrition (NIN),

Jamai-Osmania PO.

Hyderabad - 500 007.

Phome: 040-2700 8921# 309

Fax:      040-2701 9074

e-mail: sesikeran@gmail.com

Member

18.

Dr. N.B. Singh,

Assistant Director General (Seeds)

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR),

Room No. 214, Krishi Bhawan,

New Delhi - 110 001 

Member

19.

Dr. Balram Ghosh, Scientist-F, (CSIR Nominee)

Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, University Campus, Mall Road,

Delhi - 110 007

Member

20.

Dr. O.P. Agarwal, EMS, (Nominee, ICMR)

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),

Prof. V. Ramalingaswamy Bhawan,

Ansari Nagar, Post Box No.4911,

New Delhi - 110 029.

e-mail: op_agarwal@yahoo.com

Member

21.

Dr. A.K. Singh, Director

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), 

Pusa Campus,         

New Delhi - 110 012 

Phone: 011-2584 3697

Fax :     011-2585 1495/ 2578 5619

e-mail: director@nbpgr.ernet.in

Member

22.

Sh. Satyapal Shani

Technical Officer (Drug),

Room No. 547, Drug Section,

Directorate General of Health Services,

Nirman Bhawan, 

New Delhi 110 011. 

e-mail: satyapalshani@msn.com 

Member

23.

Dr. K. K. Tripathi, 

Adviser,

Department of Biotechnology

Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India

New Delhi - 110 003

Tel: 011-24361559

Email: kkt@dbt.nic.in

Member Secretary

24.

Dr. K.S. Charak,  

Scientist-F,

Department of Biotechnology

Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India

New Delhi - 110 003

Official Member

25.

Dr. Bindu Dey,  

Scientist-F,

Department of Biotechnology

Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India

New Delhi - 110 003

Official Member

26.

Dr. Suchita Ninawe, 

Scientist-E,

Department of Biotechnology

Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India

New Delhi - 110 003

Official Member