GM Crops Currently Allowed in India
India has approved only a few GM crops for commercial cultivation:
- Bt Cotton (2002) – The only fully approved GM crop in India, modified to resist bollworm pests.
- DMH-11 Mustard (2024) – Genetically Modified Hybrid Mustard developed by Delhi University (under review for full approval).
GM Crops Under Research/Trials
Several GM crops are in various stages of field trials and regulatory approval:
- Bt Brinjal (Event EE-1) – Developed by Mahyco, approved in 2009 but put on hold due to protests.
- Herbicide-Tolerant (HT) Bt Cotton – Unofficially grown in some states but not legally approved.
- Golden Rice – Vitamin-A enriched rice (under development, not yet approved).
- GM Potato, Banana, Tomato, and Chickpea – Some are in confined trials for disease resistance and nutrition enhancement.
Regulatory Bodies for GM Crops in India
- Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) – Under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), it approves GM crops under the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986.
- Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) – Under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), monitors research and field trials.
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) – Regulates GM food safety.
International Conventions Governing GM Crops
- Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000) – Part of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), regulates transboundary movement of GM organisms (India is a signatory).
- Codex Alimentarius Commission – Sets global food safety standards, including GM foods.
- International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources (ITPGRFA) – Addresses conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources, including GM crops.
Recent Developments
- DMH-11 Mustard Approval (2024) – GEAC recommended environmental release, awaiting final government clearance.
- HT Bt Cotton Controversy – Illegal cultivation reported in Maharashtra and Telangana, prompting crackdowns.
Key Genetic Engineering Terms in GM Crops
(A) Gene Editing & Modification Tools
1. CRISPR-Cas9 – A gene-editing tool allowing precise modification of DNA (used in developing disease-resistant crops).
2. RNA Interference (RNAi) – Silencing specific genes to control pests (e.g., Bt Brinjal uses RNAi for resistance).
3. Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation – A bacterium used to transfer desired genes into plants.
(B) Selectable Marker Systems
1. Barnase-Barstar System
- Barnase – A toxic gene that induces male sterility (used in DMH-11 Mustard).
- Barstar – A suppressor gene that restores fertility when needed.
- Purpose: Helps in hybrid seed production without manual labor.
2. Herbicide-Tolerant (HT) Genes
- EPSPS (Glyphosate Resistance) – Makes crops resistant to weed-killers like Roundup.
- PAT/bar Gene (Glufosinate Resistance) – Used in HT Bt Cotton (illegally grown in India).
(C) Pest & Disease Resistance
1. Cry Genes (Bt Toxins)
- Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab – Used in Bt Cotton to kill bollworms.
- Cry1Fa – Tested in Bt Brinjal for fruit borer resistance.
2. Virus-Resistant Genes
- Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV)-Resistant Papaya – Used in GM papaya (approved in the US, not India).
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