GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) CROPS

Why in the News?

The Supreme Court pronounced a split verdict on the validity of the decision of the Union government granting approval for environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard crops in 2022.

Directions passed by the court: 

The Union of India has to evolve a national policy regarding GM crops. The policy be

framed in consultation with all stakeholders, including states, farmers groups etc.

What is Genetic Modification?

• It involves altering an organism’s DNA.
• This can be done by altering an existing section of DNA, or by adding a new gene altogether.
• When a scientist performs genetic modification to a plant, they insert a foreign gene (called transgene) in the plant’s own genes.
• This could be introduced from one plant to another plant,from a plant to an animal, or from a microorganism to a plant.

About GM Mustard crop (DMH-11) :

• DMH-II is developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (Delhi I-University).
• It paves the way for the commercialisation of the country’s first GM food crop.
• GM mustard has not been released for commercial cultivation yet.
• DMH-11 is a result of a crossing between two mustard varieties
• (‘Varuna’ and East European ‘Early Heera-2’).
• This is difficult to do by conventional breeding because mustard is self-pollinating.
• This cross has been done after introducing the barnase and barstar gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

Benefits of GM methods in Agriculture

• Enhanced yield protection, i.e., resistance to pests and diseases
• Reduced costs for food 
• Reduced usage of environmentally damaging pesticides 
• Enhanced nutritional value
• Tolerance to drought, hence reducing the use of groundwater

Other Genetically Modified (GM) Crops in India : 

• Bt-Cotton: It is the first non-food and only approved GM crop in 2002 for commercial cultivation. It was introduced to protect against the widespread infestation of bollworm. In 2018-19, it was 95% of the total cotton planted in India.
• Bt-Brinjal: In 2009, Bt-brinjal was cleared by GEAC for commercial cultivation, but it was put on a 10-year moratorium following public backlash.Recently, GEAC has allowed field trials of 2 new varieties
• (Janak and BSS-793) of indigenously developed Bt-brinjal in 8 states during 2020-23.

Regulatory Framework of GM Crops in India

• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: It prohibits import, manufacture, use or sale of GM food without FSSAI’s approval.
• Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM)
• State Biotechnology Coordination Committee (SBCC)
• District Level Committee (DLC)
• GM crop Approval process: It is given on a case-to-case basis after thorough scientific evaluation of health and environment safety as per applicable  guidelines made under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Concerns about GM Crops

• Human Health: Cultivation of GM herbicide tolerant crops relies heavily on glyphosate.Glyphosate was classified as “probable carcinogen” by the World Health Organization in 2015.
• Biodiversity loss: Presence of the bar gene makes GM mustard plants herbicide tolerant (HT) to the spraying of glufosinate ammonium (a herbicide used for killing weeds)
• Contamination poses a threat to wild and weedy crops, non-GM crops and foods, and organic farming.
• Effect on honeybees and other pollinators
• Income Loss