GENETIC ENGINEERING APPRAISAL COMMITTEE (GEAC)

PRELIMS BITS

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is India’s apex regulatory body overseeing genetically modified (GM) seeds and organisms.

Overview of GEAC

• Constitution: Established under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (1989)” framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Purpose: GEAC evaluates the large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) from an environmental protection perspective.

Responsibilities

1. Evaluation: Reviews and assesses the environmental impact of GM organisms in research and industrial production.
2. Appraisal: Examines proposals for the release of GE organisms and products into the environment, including field trials.

Recent Revisions

• Disclosure Requirement: Experts selected for the committee must now disclose any potential conflicts of interest. This revision aims to ensure transparency and integrity in decision-making regarding GMOs.

PRELIMS BITS: NASA’S MARS CHOPPER: THE FUTURE OF MARTIAN EXPLORATION

NASA has unveiled the Mars Chopper, a successor to the Ingenuity helicopter, designed to explore areas beyond rover reach and advance Martian exploration.

Key Features

1. Design
   • Size: Comparable to an SUV, larger than Ingenuity.
   • Rotors: Six rotors with six smaller blades each, ensuring better lift and stability.
   • Payload Capacity: Carries up to 5 kg of scientific instruments for advanced studies.
2. Capabilities
   • Range: Covers up to 3 km in one flight, accessing difficult terrains.
   • Instruments: Equipped with imaging and atmospheric analysis tools for detailed data collection.

Ingenuity’s Legacy

• Achievements: Surpassed its original goal of 5 flights, completing 72 flights and covering 30 times the expected distance.
• Significance: Proved aerial exploration is viable on Mars, paving the way for the Mars Chopper.

Technological Advancements

• Efficiency: Enhanced rotors optimize performance in Mars’ thin atmosphere.
• Durability: Built to endure harsh Martian conditions, including dust storms.
• Sensors: Equipped with advanced imaging systems and atmospheric sensors.

Challenges Addressed

• Thin Atmosphere: Requires greater lift due to less than 1% of Earth’s atmospheric density.
• Martian Dust: Designed to mitigate risks posed by fine dust interfering with equipment.

Future Implications

• Robotic Exploration: Expands mission reach to inaccessible areas, complementing rovers and orbiters.
• Human Exploration: Provides critical data for designing habitats and resource utilization, supporting NASA’s goal of Mars colonization.

The Mars Chopper promises to revolutionize Martian exploration by extending our reach and deepening our understanding of the Red Planet.