Genetically Modified Crop Plants - 1 | Agriculture Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Genetically Modified Crops

Genetically Modified (GM) crops, also referred to as genetically engineered (GE) crops or biotech crops, are plants that have undergone deliberate genetic alterations that do not occur naturally through conventional mating or recombination processes. These genetic modifications are typically carried out to impart particular traits or characteristics to the crop, including resistance to pests, tolerance to herbicides, enhanced nutritional content, or extended shelf life.

• The genetic modification of crops entails the insertion, removal, or modification of specific genes within the plant's DNA. This is frequently achieved through methods such as recombinant DNA technology and gene editing, such as CRISPR-Cas9.

Types of Traits in GM Crops

• Pest Resistance: Several GM crops are designed to generate proteins that are harmful to particular insect pests. For instance, Bt cotton produces a protein sourced from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which is lethal to certain insects.
• Herbicide Tolerance: Specific GM crops possess the ability to endure the application of particular herbicides, enabling more efficient weed management and decreasing the necessity for other potentially more harmful herbicides.
• Disease Resistance: Genetic modification can grant resistance to plant diseases, thereby lessening crop losses.
• Improved Nutritional Content: Some GM crops have been created to exhibit heightened nutritional value. An example of this is "Golden Rice," which contains increased levels of beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.

Benefits of GM Crops

• Increased Crop Yields: GM crops can be genetically modified to enhance resistance to pests and increase production, which can contribute to addressing food security issues.
• Reduced Use of Pesticides: GM crops that are pest-resistant can diminish the requirement for chemical pesticides, thereby lowering their environmental footprint and potentially offering health advantages to farmers.
• Enhanced Nutritional Content: GM crops can be tailored to offer improved nutrition, potentially addressing nutrient deficiencies in specific populations.
• Extended Shelf Life: Certain GM crops have been altered to withstand decay, resulting in a lengthier shelf life for items such as tomatoes.

Concerns regarding Genetically Modified Crops

A common viewpoint is that food produced from GM crops available in the market doesn't present a higher risk to human health compared to traditional food. Nevertheless, critics have raised various objections to GM crops, citing environmental issues, the safety of GM food, the commercial interests associated with GM crops, intellectual property regulations, and more.

Arguments in favor of GM Crops

Advocates argue that GM technologies have been in existence for approximately 15 years and have been utilized worldwide, including countries like Brazil and China.
Norman Borlaug, often referred to as the father of the Green Revolution, expressed support for producing genetically modified (GM) food during a visit to India in March 2005. The Nobel laureate, who passed away in 2009, stated that "it is preferable to consume GM food rather than succumb to hunger."

• Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh considered biotechnology a crucial factor in ensuring food security and cautioned against yielding to "unfounded prejudices."
• President Pranab Mukherjee emphasized that concerns regarding the perceived risks of GM crops should be addressed by adhering to internationally accepted safety assessment procedures. He also urged the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), engaged in developing valuable products and technologies in this field, to contribute to public discussions and provide clarity on this sensitive matter.
• Indian intelligence agencies identified anti-GM groups such as Greenpeace India and Gene Campaign as among the "anti-national" foreign-funded non-governmental organizations hindering India's economic progress.
• Agricultural scientists from research institutions, including the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), ICAR, and various universities, advocated for "field trials" of GM crops, stressing that these trials are crucial for evaluating productivity performance and conducting safety assessments related to food and the environment.
• A group of eminent scientists convened under the leadership of M.S. Swaminathan, known as the "father of the Green Revolution," at the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NASA) and issued a 15-point resolution in support of GM crops.
• S.S. Gosal, the Director of Research at Punjab Agriculture University, explained that a typical brinjal crop necessitates around 30 insecticide sprays, indirectly affecting human consumption. He emphasized the need to determine which is less harmful for consumption between conventionally grown brinjal and Bt brinjal, which is genetically modified to resist pests and herbicides.

Arguments against Genetically Modified Crops

• Entities like Greenpeace contend that GM crops do not deliver improved outcomes but instead place farmers in financial distress.
• Farmers forfeit their control over seeds and are compelled to purchase GM seeds and technologies from multinational corporations.
• The rising occurrence of suicides among farmers cultivating Bt cotton serves as an illustration of the dangers associated with GM crops, particularly in a country like India.
• In addition to the questionable merits of GM crops, opponents also highlight that their introduction into the environment is an irreversible process.
  • Environmental Consequences: Critics raise concerns that GM crops might lead to unintended ecological repercussions, including harm to non-target organisms, the emergence of pest resistance, or disruption of local ecosystems. 
  • Human Health: Worries exist regarding the safety of consuming GM foods, even though the prevailing scientific consensus asserts that approved GM crops are safe for human consumption. 
  • Economic and Socio-cultural Considerations: Some express apprehensions about the economic dominance of GM crop technologies by a handful of major corporations and the potential displacement of traditional agricultural practices.

Regulatory Mechanisms in India

The primary regulatory authority for biotechnology in India is the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). This committee operates as a legal body under the Environment Protection Act of 1986 and falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF).

• Previously named the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, under the Environment Protection Act of 1986, specifically the "Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export, and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989," the GEAC holds the responsibility of granting permissions for conducting experimental trials and large-scale open field trials, as well as approving the commercial release of biotech crops.
• The Rules of 1989 also establish five competent authorities, including the Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBSC), Review Committee of Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), State Biotechnology Coordination Committee (SBCC), and District Level Committee (DLC). These authorities are tasked with overseeing various aspects of the regulations.

Note that there was a proposal for a Biotechnology Regulatory Authority, but the bill became defunct following the dissolution of the 15th Loksabha.