PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Research and regulation in synthetic biology

• Synthetic biology = engineering of biological systems (designed microbial strains, redesigned genomes) to manufacture chemicals, fuels, materials, therapeutics. India treats it as a strategic pillar of the emerging bioeconomy.
• Operationalised through the BioE3 Policy (2024) under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, with research carried out via CSIR laboratories under DSIR.
• Regulated through the Rules, 1989 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, administered by RCGM (DBT) and GEAC (MoEFCC).
• High-yield UPSC topic: links GS-III (Sci-Tech, biotech, IPR), GS-II (regulatory bodies), GS-III environment (biosafety, Cartagena Protocol).