Supreme Court Inquiry Into GM Crop Biosafety
Source: How GM mustard was developed, why the question of its approval has now reached Supreme Court (The Indian Express, January 14, 2024)
- Technical Expert Committee Reports: The Supreme Court recently raised queries regarding the apparent oversight of Technical Experts Committee (TEC) reports on GM crop biosafety. These reports, crucial for assessing the safety of genetically modified organisms, seem to have been neglected during appraisal processes.
- GEAC’s Role in GM Crop Appraisal: Operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is responsible for evaluating proposals for environmental release of GM organisms.
- Transgenic Mustard Hybrid DMH-11 Approval: The bench, headed by Justices BV Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol, has inquired into the actions of the GEAC. This particular interest stems from the decision on October 25, 2022, about the environmental release of the genetically modified mustard hybrid known as DMH-11.
- Moratorium Pleas: The Supreme Court is deliberating on petitions filed by an activist and an NGO. These petitions call for a stop on the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment.
- Transparent Safety Protocols: The petitioners advocate that any release should be contingent upon a detailed safety protocol outlined by unbiased experts. Such a study should be accessible to the public, ensuring transparency and rigorous safety standards.
- Government’s Stance: The central government seeks to retract a prior verbal commitment to halt the GM mustard commercialisation process.
- Supreme Court’s Intervention: On November 3, 2022, the Supreme Court mandated a halt on the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee’s decision, which had earlier approved GM mustard for commercial cultivation.
- Environmental Release Recommendation: Previously, on October 18, 2022, the GEAC had proposed the environmental release of DMH-11, a hybrid mustard variant. The agency suggested further studies to understand its impact on bees and other pollinators.
Understanding DMH-11
- Development and Origin: DMH-11 is a transgenic mustard hybrid developed by Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP).
- Hybridisation: This procedure involves crossing two different plant varieties to produce a first-generation (F1) hybrid with superior yields.
Challenges in Mustard Hybridisation
- Self-Pollination Nature: Mustard plants have both male and female reproductive organs in the same flower, leading to self-pollination.
- Limitations: This self-pollinating characteristic restricts the cross-fertilization needed for creating hybrid varieties.
Hybrid Mustard Development Through GM Technology
- Genetic Modification Approach: Scientists have employed genetic modification to innovate in the field of agriculture.
- The Role of Barnase and Barstar Genes: Two genes, ‘barnase’ and ‘barstar’, from the soil bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens have been central to the development of hybrid mustard.
- Creation of Male-Sterile Plants: The ‘barnase’ gene has been used to create male-sterile plants, essential for the process of hybridisation.
- Crossing for Hybrid Vigour: A cross between a male-sterile plant and a fertile parental line having the ‘barstar’ gene results in a high-yielding F1 hybrid mustard.
- The Making of DMH-11: The hybrid mustard DMH-11 was developed by crossing ‘Varuna’, a popular Indian variety, with ‘Early Heera-2’, a mutant from East Europe.
- Yield Improvements Demonstrated: DMH-11 has exhibited a substantial yield increase over its parent variety, indicating the success of this hybridisation technique.
GEAC’s Green Light for DMH-11 in 2022
- Seed Production and Testing Approval: The GEAC has approved the environmental release of DMH-11 for seed production and testing, marking a significant step towards commercial planting by farmers.
- Development of New Hybrids: The council has also allowed the environmental release of the parental lines used in DMH-11, enabling the creation of new hybrids that may yield more than DMH-11 itself.
- Genetic Diversity and Breeding: Indian mustard varieties currently have limited genetic variation. The introduction of the barnase-barstar system allows for the breeding of hybrids from a broader genetic pool, which includes East European mustard varieties like ‘Heera’ and ‘Donskaja’.
- Potential for Improved Traits: Deepak Pental, who spearheaded the DMH-11 development team at Delhi University, emphasises the possibility of integrating traits that offer disease resistance and enhanced oil quality, which aligns with health recommendations.
Concerns Over GM Mustard
- Herbicide Tolerance and Labour Impact: Opposition to GM mustard often highlights the
bargene, which imparts tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium. Critics argue this will reduce the need for manual weeding, affecting labor employment. - Counterpoints by Developers: Developers of DMH-11 clarify that the
bargene serves as a marker for identification in seed production. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) restricts its use to seed production only, not for regular farming. - Effect on Pollinators: Another worry is the potential adverse effects on pollinators like honey bees. The GEAC references expert reports dismissing these concerns, suggesting no significant impact from the GM crop.
- Field Demonstration Studies: The GEAC suggested that CGMCP should carry out studies on GM mustard’s impact on pollinators. These studies are intended to gather evidence in the Indian context and act as a safeguard.
India’s Edible Oil Imports
- Financial Impetus: With a high dependency on edible oil imports, India faces a significant financial burden. Local production stands at around 8.5-9 million tonnes, contrasting sharply with imports of approximately 14-14.5 million tonnes.
- Economic Strain: The fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, saw a peak in foreign exchange expenditure, with $18.99 billion spent on edible oil imports.