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UPSC Prelims 2005 · Environment · Rules for the Planet
Which one of the following statements is correct?
- (a) The First Meeting of the Parties (MOP 1) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was held in Philippines in the year 2004
- (b) India is not a signatory to the Biosafety Protocol/Convention on Biological Diversity
- (c) The Biosafety Protocol deals with genetically modified organisms.
- (d) The United States of America is member of the Biosafety Protocol/Convention on Biological Diversity
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) The Biosafety Protocol deals with genetically modified organisms.
The Cartagena (Biosafety) Protocol governs the safe transfer and use of living modified organisms (GMOs).
The idea
The protocol follows the precautionary principle: a country may refuse to import a living modified organism even when the harm is not fully proven. The exporter must inform first and wait for consent.
Exporter informs the importing country → Importing country studies the risk → It may allow or refuse → Decision is posted on the Biosafety Clearing-House → This is called advance informed agreement
Why the others are wrong
(a) MOP 1 was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2004), not the Philippines.
(b) India is a party to both the CBD and the Cartagena Protocol.
(d) The USA has not ratified the CBD or joined the Biosafety Protocol.
The trap
The USA is the famous non-member — (d) reverses it.
Also know
The USA signed the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1993 but its Senate never ratified it, so it cannot join the convention’s protocols. India is a party to the CBD, the Cartagena Protocol and the Nagoya Protocol. A “living modified organism” means a living organism changed by modern biotechnology, such as a GM seed.
🔒 Biosafety Protocol = GMOs/LMOs; MOP1 Kuala Lumpur 2004; USA not a party; India a party.