Genetically Modified Seeds

Why in news?

The farmers’ union Shetkari Sanghatana (Maharashtra) announced fresh plans in its agitation for use of genetically modified seeds.

What are GM seeds?

• Conventional plant breeding involves crossing species of the same genus to provide the offspring with the desired traits of both parents.
• Genetic engineering aims to transcend the genus barrier by introducing an alien gene in the seeds to get the desired effects.
• The alien gene could be from a plant, an animal or even a soil bacterium.

What are the GM crops in India?

• Bt cotton - It is the only GM crop that is allowed in India.
• It has two alien genes from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that allows the crop to develop a protein toxic to the pest pink bollworm.
• Ht Bt cotton - It is derived with the insertion of an additional gene, from another soil bacterium.
• This allows the plant to resist the common herbicide glyphosate.
• Bt brinjal - In this, a gene allows the plant to resist attacks of fruit and shoot borer.
• DMH-11 mustard - It was developed in University of Delhi.
• In this, genetic modification allows cross-pollination in a crop that self-pollinates in nature.
• Globally, GM variants of maize, canola and soya bean are available.

What is the legal position of GM crops in India?

• In India, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body that allows for commercial release of GM crops.
• In 2002, the GEAC had allowed the commercial release of Bt cotton.
• More than 95% of the country’s cotton area has since then come under Bt cotton.
• Use of the unapproved GM variant can attract a jail term of 5 years and fine of Rs 1 lakh under the Environmental Protection Act, 1989.

Why are farmers rooting for GM crops?

• Cotton - In the case of cotton, farmers cite the high cost of weeding.
• This cost goes down considerably if they grow Ht Bt cotton and use glyphosate against weeds.
• Brinjal - Brinjal growers in Haryana have rooted for Bt brinjal.
• This is because it reduces the cost of production by cutting down on the use of pesticides.

What is the problem?

• Unauthorised crops are widely used.
• Of the 4-4.5 crore packets (each weighing 400 g) of cotton sold in the country, 50 lakh are of the unapproved Ht Bt cotton.
• Haryana has reported farmers growing Bt brinjal in pockets which had caused a major agitation there.
• Environmentalists argue that the long-lasting effect of GM crops is yet to be studied and thus they should not be released commercially.
• Genetic modification brings about changes that can be harmful to humans in the long run.

Source: The Indian Express