A GM Crop Decision That Cuts The Mustard

Relevance: GS3 - Science and Technology; Awareness in the fields of Biotechnology

(Source: The Hindu, 09/16/2023)

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Why in the news?

• This article is based on ‘A GM crop decision that cuts the mustard’, which was published in The Hindu on 16th September, 2023.
• In October 2022, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in India approved the release of DMH-11 and its parental line for cultivation.
• The approval and environmental release of GM mustard DMH-11 represent a transformative milestone towards achieving self-sufficiency and fostering sustainability in India's agriculture sector.

Why is the adoption of science-based technologies like genetic engineering essential?

• The adoption of science-based technologies like genetic engineering to develop genetically modified (GM) crops is essential to address the global challenge of achieving food and nutritional security in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
• Despite efforts, the 'Zero Hunger' target by 2030, as outlined in the 2019 Global Food Security and Nutrition Report, remains difficult to attain.
• To make progress, there is a pressing need to accelerate the genetic improvement of crops.
• This entails developing superior crop varieties and hybrids that can yield more food while being adaptable to various environmental conditions and requiring fewer natural resources.
• The Green Revolution of the 1960s-70s significantly increased food production, but the current climate crisis demands the development of new biotech/GM crops with improved traits to mitigate climate change effects and produce nutrient-rich food.

What are Genetically Modified (GM) Crops?

• GM crops are plants whose genes have been artificially modified, usually by inserting genetic material from another organism, to give them new properties such as increased yield, herbicide tolerance, disease or drought resistance, or improved nutritional value.
• All GM crops in India require approval from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) for use in commercial production.
• Purpose of Genetically Modified Crops:
  • Higher yields
  • Enhanced nutritional value
  • Longer shelf life
  • Increase resistance to droughts
  • Increase resistance to insects, pests
  • Increased resistance to herbicides

GM Crops Adoption Worldwide

• Adoption in Numerous Countries: According to a report by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) 2020, a total of 72 countries have adopted GM crops into their agricultural practices. These crops serve purposes ranging from human consumption to animal feed and commercial cultivation.
• Dominance in Developing Countries: Developing nations account for a significant portion of global GM crop cultivation, with 56% of GM crop area located in these regions. Industrial countries make up the remaining 44% of GM crop cultivation.
• Significant Impact on Populations: GM crops have positively affected over 1.95 billion people, which is approximately 26% of the world's population, in five countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India, and the United States.
• Bt Cotton in India: Bt cotton was introduced in India over two decades ago, showcasing remarkable economic benefits for farmers and the nation. It is recognized as a global success story in terms of enhancing economic advantages for Indian farmers.

Diverse Applications and Benefits of Genetic Modification

• GM technology has evolved to extend beyond the major four crops (maize, soybean, cotton, and canola) to encompass various economically important food crops, aiming to improve traits such as:
  • Insect and Herbicide Resistance: GM crops have been engineered for resistance against pests and herbicides, reducing the need for chemical inputs and benefiting both farmers and the environment.
  • Climate Resilience: Genetic modification has been used to enhance crop resilience to changing climate conditions, helping ensure stable food production.
  • Nutritional Quality Improvement: GM crops have been developed to enhance the nutritional quality of foods, addressing nutritional deficiencies in populations.
• Economic Benefits of GM Crops: The global economic benefits generated by GM crops during the period (1996-2018) amount to a staggering $224.9 billion. Over 16 million farmers, with a strong representation from developing countries (95%), have benefited from these gains.
• Biosafety Assurance: Over the past 25 years, GM food crops have consistently demonstrated their biosafety, providing confidence in their consumption and environmental impact.

Addressing India's Edible Oil Deficit

• Import Dependency: India relies heavily on imports to meet 60% of its edible oil demand, posing economic challenges and food security concerns.
• Harnessing the Potential of Mustard: Mustard plays a pivotal role in India's edible oil production, but its per-hectare yield lags behind global averages.
• Genetic Engineering Research: The Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at the University of Delhi South Campus has conducted extensive research to develop a genetically modified (GM) mustard hybrid, known as DMH-11.
  • DMH-11 promises higher vigour and yield, which could significantly boost domestic edible oil production and improve farmers' incomes.

The Science Behind GM Mustard

• Genetically Modified (GM) mustard Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH-11) is an indigenously created transgenic mustard.
• It is a genetically engineered variant of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) mustard.
• The GM mustard hybrid is created using the barnase/barstar system, a genetic mechanism that eliminates male fertility in one parent and restores it in the offspring.
• A herbicide tolerance gene is incorporated as a selection marker during the development of GM mustard. This gene serves dual purposes: selecting genetically transformed lines and facilitating hybrid seed production.

Advantages of Herbicide Tolerance in GM Mustard

• Efficient Resource Use: Herbicide-tolerant (HT) crops, including GM mustard, offer advantages such as preserving soil moisture and nutrients, as well as effective weed control.
• Role in Genetic Transformation: In GM mustard, the herbicide tolerance gene primarily functions as a tool for selecting genetically transformed lines, ultimately contributing to the success of the hybrid seed production process.

Significance

• Enhancing Mustard Crop Varieties: Mustard varieties in India have a limited genetic diversity. It allows for barnase-barstar-based hybrid production in mustard, enabling the creation of new mustard hybrids with improved traits.
• Benefits for Farmers: These genetically modified (GM) mustard hybrids are expected to increase crop yields per hectare. The improved yields will result in higher incomes for farmers.
• Reducing Oil Import Dependency: India's domestic consumption of edible oils is substantial, while domestic mustard oil production falls short. The country heavily relies on edible oil imports, which come at a significant cost.
• Cultivating GM mustard hybrids can reduce the need for oil imports, leading to self-reliance in edible oil production.
• Promoting Sustainability: The environmental release of DMH-11 signifies a shift towards sustainable agriculture.

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FAQs

MCQ

Question: Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? (UPSC 2012)

1. To enable them to withstand drought.
2. To increase the nutritive value of the produce.
3. To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations.
4. To increase their shelf life.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4