Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

Context:

Under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, rules guiding the selection process of genetic engineering appraisal committee have been amended.

Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

Genetically modified (GM) crops are plants that have been genetically engineered to have modified DNA for agricultural purposes.

• GM modifies an organism’s genome by introduction of DNA into the organism with an intention to give new features or to make some changes.
• The four most cultivated GM crops in the world are cotton, soybeans, maize, and canola and are conferred with herbicide tolerance and insect resistance.
• About 90% of GM area cultivated in the world is concentrated in the above countries:
  • USA, Brazil, Argentina, India, and Canada.

• Background
  • GM crops are first developed in the USA in 1994, and their ripening process slows down and also prevents them from rotting.
  • Improving some of these features aims at less reliance on pesticides/herbicides, attaining resistance against some plant viruses, and decreasing the tillage to control weeds.

• Bt Genes
  • Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces cytolytic (Cyt) and crystal (Cry) toxins, and these have been engineered into plant crops to produce these toxins.

• Methods
  • Direct approach:
    • Gene of interest is cloned into a plant DNA vector that is then transferred into the plant by gene gun method, electroporation, microinjection, etc.
  • A tumefaciens mediated gene transfer:
    • The bacterium is a soil bacterium, A.tumefaciens, causes crown gall disease in many plants because of its transferring tumors causing DNA into the plant genome.

• Advantages
  • GM is the most innovating technique for creating pest-resistant crops like Bt crops.
  • Pest resistance:
    • Its Bt genes kill most of the pests and therefore eliminate the need for needlessly applied surfactants.
  • Virus resistant plants:
    • Such traits may be transferred to non-resistant plants.
  • Plants that are drought resistant:
    • Plants can be engineered to have drought tolerance, thus minimizing groundwater usage.
  • Herbicide tolerance:
    • Genetic modification involves engineering GM crops to withstand herbicides that control weeds.
  • Sustainable farming practice:
    • Sustainable agricultural management with GM crops was made possible by these technologies.
  • Increased nutritional value:
    • Announcing the possibility of increasing food crop nutrient concentrations through genetic modification.

• Disadvantages
  • Horizontal gene transfer of pesticide, herbicide or antibiotic resistance may disturb the ecological balance.
  • Herbicide tolerance can lead to ecological imbalances as herbicide-resistant crops may develop.
  • Genetic erosion from crop varieties could occur due to GM crops.
  • Crossbreeding between herbicide-resistant weeds and herbicide-tolerant crops could occur.
• Applications of GM Crops
  • Bioskilling:
    • Genetic manipulation to amplify the micronutrient content.
  • Edible Vaccines:
    • Genotoxified plant products with cheaper energy intake and reduced side effects.
  • Indeed biofuels:
    • Fourth-generation biofuel crops developed from genetically modified algae and cyanobacteria.
  • Phytoremediation:
    • Using genetic manipulation to clean up soil and water pollutants.

• India and GM Crops
  • Among the leading growers of GM crops in the world.
  • Regulator Framework:
    • Strong law regarding threats to animal and human health and biodiversity.
    • The statutory boards involved in GM crop regulation include the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee, Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation, and Genetic E.

Government Schemes Related to GM Crops