(Daily News Scan - DNS English) What are Genetically Modified Seeds?
In the current kharif season, farmers would undertake mass sowing of GM seeds for maize, soyabean, mustard, brinjal and herbicide tolerant (Ht) cotton. Although these are not approved. Taking this into account, the farmer’s Union - Shetkari Sanghatana announced fresh plans for the use of genetically modified seeds.
In this DNS we will know about GM seeds and legal position of genetically modified crops in India.
The Sanghatana has announced its plans to undertake large scale sowing of unapproved genetically modified crops across Maharashtra. The farmers who will be using these variants will be putting up boards on their fields proclaiming the GM nature of their crops. This action will draw attention to the need for introduction of the latest technology in the fields.
The traditional method of plant breeding involves crossing species of the same genus to provide the desired traits to the offspring’s from both the parents. Whereas, genetic engineering aims to transcend the genus barrier. They do this by introducing an alien gene in the seeds to get the desired effects. The alien gene can be from a plant, an animal or even a soil bacterium. Some of its examples are -
Bt Cotton. It has two alien genes from the soil bacterium
Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) that allows the crop to develop a protein toxic to
the common pest pink bollworm. It’s the only GM crop that is allowed in India.
Ht BT, cotton is derived with the insertion of an additional gene, from another
soil bacterium. In BT brinjal, a gene allows the plant to resist attacks of
fruit and shoot borer.
In DMH-11 mustard, genetic modification allows cross-pollination in a crop that self-pollinates in nature.
GM variants of maize, soyabean and canola are also available around the world.
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 per cent of the country’s cotton area has since then come under Bt cotton. Using unapproved GM variant can attract a jail term of 5 years and fine of Rs 1 lakh under the Environmental Protection Act, 1989.
Benefits-
- In the case of cotton, farmers cite the high cost of weeding, which goes down considerably if they grow Ht Bt cotton and use glyphosate against weeds.
- BT brinjal lowers the cost of production by cutting down on the use of pesticides.
Concerns -
The overall concern towards the use of GM seeds is, its effect on humans. As per the Environmentalists, the long-lasting effect of GM crops is yet to be studied and thus they should not be released commercially. Genetic modification can bring changes that can be harmful to humans in the long run. It can also be a threat to biodiversity as well. It may eliminate important species of pests that are concerned with sustaining domestic varieties. It can also affect the food chains.
The way forward to tackle this issue is to carry out research. Environmental IMPACT assessment should be studied of these crops. Unapproved variety of these GM seeds should not be available in the markets. The commercialization of these should only be done after the deep research.
