Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee approves commercial cultivation of GM mustard : Daily Current Affairs

Date: 28/10/2022

Relevance: GS-3: Indian agriculture, various crops, related issues and constraints; environment conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.

Key Phrases: Genetically Modified (GM) crops, GM mustard, Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, The Rules, 1989, Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Context:

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has cleared the proposal for the commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) mustard.
The recommendation will now go for the approval of the Environment Ministry.

Background:

Although the GEAC had cleared the proposal in 2017 but the Environment Ministry had vetoed it and suggested that the GEAC hold more studies on the GM crop.
Recently again the GEAC allowed environmental release of two varieties of genetically engineered mustard.
- It can be used for developing new parental lines and hybrids under the supervision of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR).
Mustard hybrid Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH-11) has been released for its seed production.
It allowed testing as per existing ICAR guidelines and other extant rules/regulations prior to commercial release.
The field demonstration studies on the effect of GE mustard on honey bees and other pollinators were also allowed to be conducted.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and their regulation in India.

In India, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and the products thereof are regulated under the “Rules for the manufacture, use, import, export & storage of hazardous microorganisms, genetically engineered organisms or cells, 1989” (referred to as Rules, 1989) notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
These Rules are implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Department of Biotechnology and State Governments through six competent authorities.
The Rules, 1989 are supported by series of guidelines on contained research, biologics, confined field trials, food safety assessment, environmental risk assessment etc.
The definition of genetic engineering in the Rules, 1989 implies that new genome engineering technologies include gene editing and gene drives.

Current legal position of GMOs in India

In India, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body that allows for the commercial release of GM crops.
In 2002, the GEAC had allowed the commercial release of Bt cotton.
Use of the unapproved GM variant can attract a jail term of 5 years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh, under the Rules, 1989 (notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986).

What are the approval conditions in the GM mustard?

The GEAC has set certain conditions for the clearance considering the application of the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants.
- The approval is for a limited period of four years and is renewable for two years at a time based on compliance report.
- External experts will visit the growing sites of the crop at least once during each season.
- For the purposes of future reference in case of trade, traceability and dispute on account of ownership
  - Applicants shall deposit 100 grams each of approved hybrids along with their parental lines with the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources.
  - They will also communicate the same to GEAC within 30 days of issue of this clearance letter.
The applicant will develop and deposit the DNA fingerprints of the approved varieties to the ICAR.
Usage of any formulation of herbicide will be recommended for the hybrid seed production after obtaining label claim and approval from Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee.
Usage of any formulation of herbicide is not permitted for cultivation in the farmer’s field under any situation.
Commercial use of DMH-11 will be subject to the Seed Act and related rules and regulations.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)

About
- The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) works under jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
- GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
Mandate
- 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.
- It is also responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.

Issues with the approval of GM mustard

Environmental activists and organizations such as Coalition for a GM-Free India have been protesting against the GEAC approval.
- The activists have alleged a lack of scientific approach or responsible regulation.
- There seems to be no added research since the last approval in 2017 which was not cleared by the Environment Ministry.
Only two additional tests have been prescribed by GEAC in a perfunctory and irresponsible fashion to address the concerns of stakeholders which is insufficient.
There have been allegations of crop developers not doing relevant studies.
There are allegations the regulatory body colluded with the crop developer in circumventing biosafety assessment in numerous ways.

Advantages of GM Crops

GM crops improve production and raise farmers’ income by enhancing farm production.
Reduce the use of pesticides and insecticides during farming which might be a great move for the betterment of the food supply.
Can produce more in small areas of land i.e. dramatically increased yields.
They are capable of thriving in a harsh climate, such as drought or heat.
Can increase nutritional value which can boost the health of people with limited access to food.

Conclusion

In the present circumstances approval of GM crops is extremely important because they could be beneficial at the same time could be potentially hazardous if proper research is not conducted.
Therefore unless there is a regulatory system that caters to the requirements of 21st century India, strong scrutiny at various levels is the only way to ensure biosafety protocols.
A strong regulatory mechanism proposed under the draft Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill should be again considered to ensure that science does not suffer.
The Centre could explore the possibility of notifying some sites within ICAR Centres or agriculture universities where field trials of GM crops can be conducted.

Source: THE HINDU

Mains Question:

Q. What is a Genetically Modified (GM) crop? How are GM crops regulated in India? Discuss the challenges and opportunities related to cultivation of genetically modified crops in India with examples? (250 words)