The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the

The correct option is Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. What is the GEAC?
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex statutory body in India responsible for regulating biotechnology, specifically overseeing the assessment of genetically modified (GM) organisms and products.

2. Legislative Authority:
The committee operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It was constituted under the powers conferred by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, specifically functioning under the "Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989".

3. Major Responsibilities:
- It is tasked with approving activities involving the large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in industrial production and research from an environmental perspective.
- It evaluates and approves proposals regarding the release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment, including conducting experimental field trials of GM crops (such as Bt cotton).