IASNOVA
GM MUSTARD
- The Government of India has stated to the Supreme Court that Genetically Modified (GM) mustard could reduce the cost of quality edible oil and benefit national interest by decreasing foreign dependency.
- The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has given the green light for the environmental release of Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11), a genetically modified variant of mustard.
- If sanctioned for commercial cultivation, DMH-11 would be the inaugural genetically modified food crop accessible to Indian farmers.
What are Genetically Modified (GM) Crops?
- GM crops are plants with artificially modified genes, often incorporating genetic material from another organism, to grant new traits such as higher yield, herbicide tolerance, disease or drought resistance, or enhanced nutritional content.
- Previously, India only sanctioned the commercial cultivation of Bt cotton as a GM crop, but the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has now recommended GM Mustard for commercial use.
What is GM Mustard?
- Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11) is a domestically developed transgenic mustard and a genetically modified version of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) mustard.
- It is a hybrid of the Indian mustard variety ‘Varuna’ and the East European variety ‘Early Heera-2’, incorporating two foreign genes (‘barnase’ and ‘barstar’) from the soil bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, facilitating the creation of high-yield mustard hybrids.
- DMH-11 has demonstrated approximately 28% higher yield than the national average and 37% more than regional averages, with its utility being acknowledged and authorized by the GEAC.
- The “Bar gene” is utilized to preserve the genetic purity of the hybrid seeds.
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
- The GEAC operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and plays a pivotal role in regulating genetic engineering activities in India.
- Its primary responsibilities include assessing the environmental impact of large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production.
- The committee also evaluates proposals for the environmental release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products, including conducting experimental field trials.
- The GEAC is led by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of the MoEF&CC, with a co-chair from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), ensuring a collaborative approach between environmental and biotechnological regulatory frameworks.
Under what Acts of India are Genetically Modified (GM) crops covered?
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- This act provides the framework for the protection and improvement of the environment. It is the umbrella legislation that governs the handling and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and addresses the environmental aspects associated with GMOs.
- Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989 (commonly known as the Rules, 1989)
- These rules, formulated under the Environment (Protection) Act, specifically regulate the manufacture, use, import, export, and storage of hazardous microorganisms, genetically engineered organisms or cells, and products thereof. They lay down the procedures and guidelines for research, development, and large-scale applications of GMOs, including GM crops.
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
- While not directly related to the regulation of GM crops, this act is important as it deals with food safety and standards in India. It encompasses the regulation of GM foods to ensure they are safe for human consumption.
