• The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Union ministry of environment has recommended the environmental release of genetically modified (GM) mustard.

• The government has so far approved only one GM crop — Bt cotton — for commercial cultivation.

• Earlier this month, Australia’s Office of Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) approved the commercial cultivation of the genetically modified Indian mustard species called ‘Brassica juncea’ for herbicide tolerance.

• Mustard is one of India’s most important winter crops, which are sown between mid-October and late November.

• The GEAC has recommended the environmental release of mustard hybrid DMH-11 for its seed production and testing as per existing ICAR guidelines and other extant rules/regulations before commercial release.

• The transgenic mustard hybrid DMH-11 has been developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at Delhi University. 

• Deepak Pental, a geneticist and former vice-chancellor of Delhi University, developed the seeds along with his team, in an effort stretching more than a decade.

• The GEAC has given approval for field trials of GM mustard for four years and is renewable for two years at a time based on compliance reports.

• Commercial use of DMH-11 hybrid shall be subject to Seeds Act, 1966 and related rules and regulations, its amendments and gazette notifications from time to time as applicable.

• It is mandatory that all seed packets of GE mustard Hybrid DMH-11 and subsequent hybrids derived from the technology should be appropriately labelled indicating the contents including the name of the transgenes, physical and genetic purity of the seeds, etc. 

What are GM crops?

• Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. The technology is often called “modern biotechnology” or “gene technology”, sometimes also “recombinant DNA technology” or “genetic engineering”.

• It allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another, also between non-related species. Foods produced from or using GMOs are often referred to as GM foods.

• Resistance against insects is achieved by incorporating into the food plant the gene for toxin production from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). 

• Virus resistance is achieved through the introduction of a gene from certain viruses which cause disease in plants. Herbicide tolerance is achieved through the introduction of a gene from a bacterium conveying resistance to some herbicides. 

• GM crops can mitigate several current challenges in commercial agriculture. Current market trends project them as one of the fastest growing and innovative global industries, which not only benefit growers but also consumers and major country economies.

• However, some experts say that GM foods can have harmful effects on the human body. It is believed that consumption of these genetically engineered foods can cause the development of diseases which are immune to antibiotics.

Are GM crops allowed in India?

• Bt cotton was the only GM crop approved in 2002 by the GEAC for commercial cultivation in the country.

• Cultivation of other unapproved GM crops was banned in India. Few incidences of suspected open cultivation of Bt brinjal and herbicide-tolerant Bt cotton (HTBT) cotton were reported in Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.

• The department of agriculture, cooperation and farmers welfare have issued advisories to states to take appropriate necessary action to curb and control the spread of Bt Brinjal and HTBT cotton. State governments have given directions to all district administrations to take necessary legal steps to curb the production and sale of illegal GM crops.

Arguments in support of GM crops

• In the wake of rising population, many scientists believe that GM crops can assist significantly in ensuring food security.

• GM food crops have been altered to have shorter growing cycles, stronger resistance to both insects and disease, and produce higher yields.

• In addition, some say these foods are also more nutritious and have a longer shelf life.

• Other benefits include reduced costs for food production, reduced need for pesticides and resistance to pests and disease. 

Arguments against GM crops

• Bt Cotton has failed in rain fed areas which represent two-thirds of cotton growing areas. It has succeeded only in irrigated areas.

• Concurrently with the consumption of GM food, there has been an increase in the incidence of gastrointestinal tract disorders and cases of allergy in the US. This, of course, does not establish a cause and effect relationship between consumption of GM food and health problems mentioned above, but it certainly makes it possible.

• The environmental safety aspects of GM crops vary considerably according to local conditions.

• The food may cause harm to other organisms.

• Genetically modified crops could inadvertently crossbreed with other crops.

• Insects might become resistant to the toxins produced by genetically modified crops.

• The food could make disease-causing bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

• We produce more food today without the use of GM technology than is required to feed the world population, and we do not need GM technology to take care of future food requirements.

• We have virtually no testing of GM crops for safety. In the US, they are approved on the basis of just “substantial equivalence” with the non-GM material.

• Tests carried out so far have not been done by an independent body. They have been done by the company intending to market the product.

What is the role of GEAC?

• The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions under the environment ministry. As per Rules, 1989, it is responsible for the appraisal of activities involving large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.

• The committee is also responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment, including experimental field trials.

• It has 24 members and meets every month to review the applications in the areas indicated above.

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