Why in news?
- The genetic engineering appraisal committee (GEAC), India’s biotechnology regulator has approved the environmental release and cultivation by farmers of DMH-11.
- It is a genetically modified (GM) hybrid mustard developed by scientists at Delhi University.
What are genetically modified crops?
- Genetically modified crops are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering techniques.
- The aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species.
- In food crops include resistance to certain pests, diseases, or environmental conditions, and improving the nutrient profile of the crop.
- In non-food crops include production of pharmaceutical agents, biofuels, and other industrially useful goods, as well as for bioremediation.
- More than 10% of world’s crop lands has been planted with GM crops.
What are the benefits of GM crops?
- Better Pest and Disease Resistance.
- Greater tolerance of stress, such as drought, low temperatures or salt in the soil.
- High yield and faster growth, they can be cultivated and harvested in areas with shorter growing seasons.
- More nutritious, and tastier.
- May be possible produce medicines or even vaccines.
- Can be made resistant to specific herbicides.
What are the drawbacks with GM crops?
- Can cause Unpredictable side effects.
- Can cause ecological damage.
- Lead to over use of herbicides.
- Not accessible to every poor farmers.
- Problem with Intellectual property rights.
What is the status of GM varieties in India?
- The country has yet to approve commercial cultivation of a GM food crop.
- BT Cotton: BT cotton was first used in India in 2002.
- The only genetically modified cash crop under commercial cultivation in India is cotton.
- Now it’s being grown by Indian farmers on some 11 million hectares.
- Only 1/3rd of the kapaas or raw un-ginned cotton harvested by farmers.
- Remaining 2/3rd comprises the seed that is crushed to extract oil.
- Cotton-seed oil is, indeed, India’s second largest indigenously produced oil today after mustard.
- The de-oiled cake or meal remaining after oil extraction is, likewise, fed to milch animals.
- During its introduction it was found to be promising for many farmers but after few years it created distress among the farmers.
- It failed to fulfil its promises such has high yield, pest resistance, drought resistance.
- The seed prices are determined by corporates which is highly expensive for the farmers.
- Many hectares of the land has been spoiled by this seeds.
- BT Brinjal: The GEAC in 2007, recommended the commercial release of Bt Brinjal.
- It was developed by Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company) in collaboration with the Dharward University of Agricultural sciences and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
- BT brinjal was overturned in February 2010 by the then Environment Minister who assumed the role of regulator and ordered a suspension on the transgenic vegetable’s cultivation.
What are the benefits of GM Mustard?
- GEAC has recently given a green signal for taking a decision on commercialization.
- Indigenously developed seeds, the patent remains with government unlike with cotton it remains with corporates.
- India Plans for food fortification to achieve SDG, this will help to achieving its goal.
- Yields are expected to rise by up to 30 per cent.
- India imports 15 million tonnes (Mt) of edible oils worth almost $11 billion annually, Mustard oil production from this variety of crop will save a lot on Foreign exchange exchequer.
What is the way forward?
- Environment ministry is the final conclusive authority in this regard.
- If the Minister’s consent is obtained, GM mustard would be the first transgenic food crop to be allowed for commercial cultivation in Indian fields and would be a gateway for several genetically-modified food crops in India.
- Many of the GM crops in world today are cultivated for animal feed, the effects of GM crops on Humans are yet undiscovered.
- It is to be noted that many Developed countries closed their doors for GM foods.
- The legal and regulatory status of GM foods varies by country, with some nations banning or restricting them, and others permitting them with widely differing degrees of regulation.
- GM varieties should be promoted in a responsible way, and lot of awareness need to be created among the stake holders.
- Other than bio-safety concerns, transgenic technology is necessary for India to be scientifically relevant as well as have better seeds to address threats from climate change.
Source: The Hindu & The Indian Express
