Context:
India becomes the first country globally to develop rice varieties using genome editing technology. New seeds to be available to farmers within 6 months post-clearance, large-scale production expected in next 3 crop seasons.
New Rice Varieties Developed
| Variety Name | Parent Variety | Key Traits & Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) | Samba Mahsuri (high-yield green rice) | – Yield: 5.37 tonnes/ha (vs 4.5 parent) – Drought tolerant – High nitrogen use efficiency – 20 days earlier maturity (saves water, fertilizer, lowers methane) |
| Pusa DST Rice 1 | Maruteru 1010 (MTU1010) | – 9.66% higher yield under inland salinity stress – 14.66% higher under alkalinity – 30.4% higher under coastal salinity stress |
Technology Used
- Genome Editing Techniques: Site-Directed Nuclease 1 and 2 (SDN-1, SDN-2).
- Not Genetically Modified (GM): No foreign genes introduced (unlike SDN-3).
- Mutations mimic natural mutation processes.
- Recognized and approved internationally.
- Research tested during 2023-24 under All India Coordinated Research Project on Rice.
- Peer-reviewed paper on Pusa DST Rice 1 published in 2020; Kamala’s paper under publication.
SDN Technology
| SDN Type | Description | Genetic Modification Status |
|---|---|---|
| SDN-1 | Cuts DNA, repair done naturally | Not GM |
| SDN-2 | Cuts DNA, guided repair without foreign gene | Not GM |
| SDN-3 | Inserts foreign gene into genome | Considered GM |
Controversies & Concerns
- Farmers’ Representative Criticism: Venugopal Badaravada called the claims premature; was expelled from ICAR governing body.
- Activist Opposition: Coalition for a Genetically Modified-Free India opposes deregulation, citing safety concerns and legal issues.
- Seed Sovereignty Issues: Fears about Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) on gene editing technology affecting farmers’ control over seeds.
- Demand for Transparency: Calls for government disclosure on IPR status and regulatory clarity.
