Genetically Modified Crop Plants - 2 | Agriculture Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)

• The Committee operates as a legally mandated body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests, responsible for approving activities that involve the extensive use of hazardous living microorganisms and recombinants. This approval process is assessed from an environmental perspective in accordance with the regulations of 1989.
• Additionally, the Committee holds the responsibility of sanctioning proposals related to the release of genetically engineered organisms and their products into the environment. This includes approvals for experimental field trials, all of which must adhere to the stipulations outlined in the 1989 Rules.
• The Committee is also tasked with granting approvals for proposals that involve the utilization of living-modified organisms falling into risk categories III and above. This applies to the manufacturing and import of recombinant pharmaceutical products or instances where the end product itself is a living modified organism.
• To address specific needs, the Committee may enlist the participation of other members or experts, in accordance with Section 4, paragraph 3 of the Rules from 1989.
• Subsequently, the Committee may establish subgroups, sub-committees, or expert committees to address particular activities related to biosafety compliance.
• For the Committee's meetings, one-third of its members constitute a quorum, allowing for meeting proceedings.
• Members of the Committee are required to sign a 'Statement of Declaration of Independence' and a 'Statement of Confidentiality' in accordance with the provided format.
• The Committee's term of operation spans three years from the date of this notification.
• With the approval of the Chairman of GEAC, as needed, representatives from other Ministries and additional experts may be invited as 'Special Invitees' to participate in GEAC meetings, depending on the specific topics to be discussed.

Prominent companies with an interest in genetically modified crops in India include Monsanto India, Mahyco, and BASF. The Association of Biotech-Led Enterprises - Agriculture Group (ABLE-AG), an industry association, is advocating for the advancement of GM technology in India.

Genetically Modified Crops in India

India has not yet granted approval for the commercial cultivation of genetically modified food crops. Currently, the only genetically modified cash crop cultivated in the country is cotton.

• Bt Cotton: At present, the sole genetically modified crop grown in India is Bt cotton, covering an area of more than 10.8 million hectares. The introduction of Bt cotton in India dates back to 2002.
• Bt Brinjal: In 2007, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) recommended the commercial release of Bt Brinjal, a genetically modified brinjal variety developed by Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company) in collaboration with Dharwad University of Agricultural Sciences and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. However, this initiative faced opposition and was eventually blocked in 2010.
• GM Mustard: Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11, also known as DMH-11, is a genetically modified mustard variety developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants at Delhi University. Researchers at Delhi University used "barnase/barnstar" technology for genetic modification to create this herbicide-tolerant (HT) crop. If approved by the central authorities, this would become the second genetically modified crop in India after Bt Cotton and the first transgenic food crop permitted for cultivation in the country.

Controversies and Moratoriums associated with GM Crops in India – Timeline

• 2002: Introduction of Bt cotton in India.
• 2006: Activists filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against genetically modified (GM) crops in the Supreme Court.
• 2010: The release of Bt Brinjal was blocked by then Environmental Minister Jairam Ramesh, pending further consensus among scientists and due to opposition from brinjal-growing states. No objection certificates from states became mandatory for GM field trials.
• 2012: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, in its 37th report, called for an end to all GM field trials in the country.
• 2013 July: New crop trials had been effectively suspended since late 2012 after a Supreme Court-appointed expert panel recommended a 10-year moratorium until regulatory and monitoring systems could be strengthened. However, no official verdict was issued by the Supreme Court on this matter.
• 2013 July: Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan halted all trials in line with the recommendations of the Supreme Court panel.
• 2014: Her successor, Veerappa Moily, resumed trials. (Note: Two of Manmohan Singh's environment ministers had previously halted GM trials, but Veerappa Moily took a different stance and restarted the approval process for one-acre field trials.)
• 2014 March: The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the UPA government approved field trials for 11 crops, including maize, rice, sorghum, wheat, groundnut, and cotton.
• 2014 July: The NDA government approved field trials for 21 new varieties of genetically modified (GM) crops, such as rice, wheat, maize, and cotton, in July 2014. The GEAC, which primarily comprised biotechnology supporters, rejected only one out of the 28 proposals considered. Six proposals were rejected due to insufficient information.
• 2016: The GEAC granted permission for a field trial of GM Mustard, but the Supreme Court intervened, staying the order and soliciting public opinion on the matter.

A variety of crops, including brinjal, tomato, maize, and chickpea, are at different stages of trials involving transgenic technology. However, cotton remains the only transgenic crop commercially cultivated in India.