1. NBA checks the biopiracy and protects the indigenous and traditional genetic resources.
2. NBA directly monitors and supervises the scientific research on genetic modification of crop plants.
3. Application for Intellectual Property Rights related to genetic/ biological resources cannot be made without the approval of NBA.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The National Biodiversity Authority(NBA) plays a crucial role in preventing biopiracy which is the unauthorized use of biological resources or traditional knowledge without fair compensation or consent. The NBA ensures that access to India’s biological resources (including agricultural crops, medicinal plants, and traditional knowledge) is regulated. This helps protect India’s indigenous and traditional genetic resources from exploitation by foreign entities or corporations.
Statement 2 is incorrect: NBA does not directly supervise scientific research on genetic modification (GM) of crops. The regulation of Genetically Modified (GM) crops falls under the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) which functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Statement 3 is correct: The NBA’s approval is mandatory before filing any Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) application for patents related to biological resources originating in In-dia. This prevents foreign companies from claiming patents on Indian plants, seeds, and traditional medicines without sharing benefits with local communities.