INTRO :-
Genetically Modified Crop involves artificial insertion of genes of organism from a different species. this leads to the modification of the DNA of the said crop using genetic engineering techniques. In most cases, the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species.
WHY IMPORTANT ??
---GM crops have been touted as the harbinger of food security in India. In developing countries like India where agriculture forms the backbone of economy, and climate fails to provide any surety to the crop protection:-This is being contended because of the following reasons-
1. They increase crop yields by 22%, reduced chemical pesticides by 37% and increased farmer profits by 68%.
1. GM crops can be made to tackle climate changes i.e. heat waves, biotic-abiotic stress, climatic conditions like-droughts and chilled conditions by insertion of appropriate genes and thus acreage of crops can be increased.
2. Productivity and nutrient amount can be enriched that will ensure availability of balanced diet e.g. Golden rice has Vitamin A
3. Ability to tackle attacks by pest and common plant diseases will keep pilferage under check
1. GM crops can be made to tackle climate changes i.e. heat waves, biotic-abiotic stress, climatic conditions like-droughts and chilled conditions by insertion of appropriate genes and thus acreage of crops can be increased.
2. Productivity and nutrient amount can be enriched that will ensure availability of balanced diet e.g. Golden rice has Vitamin A
3. Ability to tackle attacks by pest and common plant diseases will keep pilferage under check
FIRST GM CROP IN INDIA :-
In India, Bt Cotton was the first crops to get permission. Being the first one, these crops were started as an experiment to test out their viability.
However, the new GM crops like GM Mustard are not being given permission because of the concerns like:
1. Comprehensive risk assessment regarding the after-effects of GM crops on surrounding environment has not been carried out
2. Biodiversity--India India also has mega biodiversity hotspots like the Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats which are rich in biodiversity yet ecologically very sensitive. there is a global conviction that GM crops cannot be introduced in centres of origin and diversity. India been a mega-biodiversity hotspot zone, with major crops like rice, brinjal, mustard finding their origin here, Gm vareities might pose a threat to the domestic and wild var of these crops.
2. Biodiversity--India India also has mega biodiversity hotspots like the Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats which are rich in biodiversity yet ecologically very sensitive. there is a global conviction that GM crops cannot be introduced in centres of origin and diversity. India been a mega-biodiversity hotspot zone, with major crops like rice, brinjal, mustard finding their origin here, Gm vareities might pose a threat to the domestic and wild var of these crops.
3. There is also the danger of unintentionally introducing allergens and other anti-nutrition factors in foods.
4. GM cotton has shown a mixed picture and is now being criticized for being vulnerable to Whitefly attacks shows that some of the claims were unfounded
5. GM seeds cannot be reused and Monsanto holds the monopoly in supply of GM seeds. Thus, in the long run this create dependency on a foreign firm
6. GM crops are immune to antibiotics and their consumption by human beings can lead to anti-microbial resistance among them thus rendering antibiotics ineffective in case of disease
7. opponents of GM mustard point out that cotton is not a food crop, while mustard is India’s largest edible oil-yielding crop.
8. there are also apprehensions about Biosafety test results have not been shared in public
9. Has a trait of a terminator seeds – which could require farmers to buy seeds perennially--this can influence farmers’ income and thus their economic access to food.
10. Cross pollination of GM variety with varieties grown in eastern India remains a threat
11. Department of Biotechnology is the regulator as well as the promoter of GM crops.
4. GM cotton has shown a mixed picture and is now being criticized for being vulnerable to Whitefly attacks shows that some of the claims were unfounded
5. GM seeds cannot be reused and Monsanto holds the monopoly in supply of GM seeds. Thus, in the long run this create dependency on a foreign firm
6. GM crops are immune to antibiotics and their consumption by human beings can lead to anti-microbial resistance among them thus rendering antibiotics ineffective in case of disease
7. opponents of GM mustard point out that cotton is not a food crop, while mustard is India’s largest edible oil-yielding crop.
8. there are also apprehensions about Biosafety test results have not been shared in public
9. Has a trait of a terminator seeds – which could require farmers to buy seeds perennially--this can influence farmers’ income and thus their economic access to food.
10. Cross pollination of GM variety with varieties grown in eastern India remains a threat
11. Department of Biotechnology is the regulator as well as the promoter of GM crops.
Should India Adopt GM ??
it is time for India which rallies under food security issues to put more thrust into the issue to make out the best out of it like most developed countries have done--
1. India is reeling under issues like falling agricultural GDP in the last 5 decades; degradation of land/groundwater resources/ exponential growth of population, and hence the demands of secured sources of food is augmenting day by day; when climatic factors play a negative role most of the time.
2. India annually imports 3 million tonnes of soyabean oil and another 0.4 million tonnes of rapeseed oil (both food crops) which are predominantly GM, and no bad effects have yet been visible with their use
3. Cotton-seed yields not only fibre (lint), but also oil and oilcake (meal) fed to animals. Cotton-seed oil is, in fact, the second largest produced edible oil in the country after mustard- thus no lss than a food-crop, and 95 % of India's cotton production already Bt, there is no visible evidence on population about any harmful toxins or likewise.
4. It can cross pollinate with non-GM varieties but that is a safe process
5. GM Canola is already imported in India and consumed with safe evidences.
6. Developed nations like USA, UK etc have a wide range of GM food crops which has ensured food security to their populations.
7. Finally GM crops like mustard has the following advantages—Higher crop yield/ reduced farm costs/ increased farm profits/ improvement in the health and environment.
2. India annually imports 3 million tonnes of soyabean oil and another 0.4 million tonnes of rapeseed oil (both food crops) which are predominantly GM, and no bad effects have yet been visible with their use
3. Cotton-seed yields not only fibre (lint), but also oil and oilcake (meal) fed to animals. Cotton-seed oil is, in fact, the second largest produced edible oil in the country after mustard- thus no lss than a food-crop, and 95 % of India's cotton production already Bt, there is no visible evidence on population about any harmful toxins or likewise.
4. It can cross pollinate with non-GM varieties but that is a safe process
5. GM Canola is already imported in India and consumed with safe evidences.
6. Developed nations like USA, UK etc have a wide range of GM food crops which has ensured food security to their populations.
7. Finally GM crops like mustard has the following advantages—Higher crop yield/ reduced farm costs/ increased farm profits/ improvement in the health and environment.
1. If GM food is allowed to be sold to consumers, they must have the right to know what they are buying, and labelling should be made mandatory.
2. India has taken only halting steps towards establishing a strong regulatory system; the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill, 2013, which provided for multi-level scientific assessments and an appellate tribunal, has lapsed. Hence, a strong regulatory authority should be established.
2. India has taken only halting steps towards establishing a strong regulatory system; the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill, 2013, which provided for multi-level scientific assessments and an appellate tribunal, has lapsed. Hence, a strong regulatory authority should be established.
3. It is also true that dependence on GM crops is a risky proposition. Hence, India needs to tap the potential of other technologies. As pointed out by a parliamentary committee India has better options for increasing productivity, like molecular breeding and integrated pest management, that can serve it in good stead for the time being.
4. Gm crops should be subjected to more intense regulatory scrutiny and are not introduced unless they pass through multiple filters.Unless India is open to the introduction of cutting edge agricultural technology, inadequate farm yields will be hard to improve.
4. Gm crops should be subjected to more intense regulatory scrutiny and are not introduced unless they pass through multiple filters.Unless India is open to the introduction of cutting edge agricultural technology, inadequate farm yields will be hard to improve.
---The discussion about safety of a product has yet again turned into a crude debate about people being pro- or anti-science. The appraisal system remains amenable to political direction. However, there need to be appropriate policy and regulatory framework in place. Government should ensure bio-safety data is accessible to civil society.
GM crops alone will not solve the hunger problem, but they can be an important component in a broader food security strategy.
Science remains incidental in a regime where political discretion remains the only rule applied consistently.
GM crops alone will not solve the hunger problem, but they can be an important component in a broader food security strategy.
Science remains incidental in a regime where political discretion remains the only rule applied consistently.
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