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Supreme Court Judgment on Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard |
Why in News- Recently a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India gave a split judgment regarding allowing the environmental release of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard.
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UPSC Syllabus: Prelims: Current Affairs of National & International Importance Mains: GS-III: Agriculture, Science & Technology |
Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard
• Genetically Modified (GM) mustard, specifically D.M.H.-11, is a hybrid mustard variety developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (C.G.M.C.P.) at the University of Delhi.
• This GM mustard contains two foreign genes: ‘Barnase’ and ‘Barstar’.
• The ‘Barnes’ gene makes the plant male-sterile by interfering with pollen production, while the ‘barstar’ gene blocks the action of the ‘Barnes’ gene, making it possible to produce high-yielding hybrid seeds when crossed with fertile mustard plants.
Why is there a case against the use of GM mustard?
Environmental impact: Possible adverse effects on non-target species such as bees and changes in soil microbial diversity.
Health risks: Inadequate studies on the long-term effects of GM crops on human health.
Biodiversity: Risks to biodiversity and the possibility of cross-contamination with non-GM crops.
Economic concerns: Dependence on patented seeds from biotech companies and impact on small farmers.
Environmentalists and advocacy organizations argue that these concerns require caution before GM crops are approved for commercial cultivation.
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
• The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body in India responsible for approving environmental releases and field trials of genetically engineered organisms.
• The GEAC evaluates the biosafety, environmental, and health impacts of GM crops, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards before approval.
GEAC’s effort for GM mustard
• This was GEAC’s second significant effort to introduce GM mustard as the first GM crop for human consumption in India.
• The only GM crop approved for cultivation in India so far is Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) cotton.
Legal and ethical concerns
• Environmentalist Aruna Rodrigues and organisations such as Gene Campaign challenged the approval citing potential risks to the environment and public health.
• The split decision taken by the Supreme Court judges reflects the ongoing debate on the safety and necessity of GM crops.
Objectives of GM Crops
Genetically modified (GM) crops are developed with specific goals in mind to address agricultural challenges and improve crop productivity.
Increase in yield
• GM crops are engineered to produce higher yields than conventional crops.
• This is especially important in areas with limited agricultural land, which helps meet the growing food demand.
Pest resistance
• One of the important advantages of GM crops is their resistance to pests.
• For example, BT cotton is modified to produce a toxin that repels bollworms, reducing the need for chemical pesticides and thus reducing production costs and environmental impact.
Drought tolerant
• Some GM crops are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions such as drought.
• This trait helps maintain crop yields during adverse climatic conditions, thereby contributing to food security.
Nutritional enrichment
• GM technology can also be used to increase the nutritional content of crops.
• For example, Golden Rice is enriched with vitamin A to combat malnutrition in regions where rice is a staple food.
Environmental challenges associated with Genetically Modified mustard
Effects on biodiversity
• The introduction of GM crops can potentially disrupt local ecosystems.
• Cross-pollination with wild relatives of the crop may have unintended consequences on plant diversity.
Effects on non-target species
• GM crops may adversely affect non-target species, such as honeybees.
• For example, concerns have been raised about the impact of GM mustard on honeybee populations, which are important for pollination and maintaining ecological balance.
Soil health
• The long-term effects of GM crops on soil microbial diversity are not fully understood.
• Changes in soil health can affect nutrient cycling and soil fertility, thereby affecting overall agricultural productivity.
Resistance development
• Pests and weeds may develop resistance to modifications in GM crops, leading to the emergence of super pests and super weeds.
• This may result in increased use of chemical inputs, thereby nullifying the benefits of GM technology.
Regulatory framework for Genetically Modified (GM) crops
Biosafety protocols
• India follows stringent biosafety protocols to ensure that GM crops are safe for the environment and human health.
• These protocols do not allow the use of any GM crop without approval from the FDA.
• This includes detailed risk assessments and field trials before a product is approved for commercial cultivation.
CAROTAR, 2020
• The Customs (Administration of Rules of Origin under Trade Agreements) Rules, 2020, ensure that imported goods comply with the rules of origin laid down in trade agreements.
• This framework helps confirm the authenticity of GM products entering the country.
What are other GM crops?
Apart from GM mustard, several other genetically modified crops have been developed and in some cases approved for cultivation:
Bt Cotton
• Bt cotton is the only GM crop approved for cultivation in India.
• It is engineered to produce a toxin that repels the bollworm, an important pest for cotton crops.
• Bt cotton has contributed to increasing cotton yields and reducing pesticide use.
GM Brinjal (Bt Brinjal)
• Bt Brinjal has been developed to resist common pests, shoot, and fruit borers.
• However, it has not been approved for commercial cultivation in India due to concerns about its environmental and health impacts.
Golden Rice
• Golden rice is genetically modified to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.
• It is intended to address vitamin A deficiency in populations that rely heavily on rice as a staple food.
• Though developed, it is still undergoing regulatory approval in various countries.
Herbicide-tolerant maize and soybeans
• GM variants of corn and soybeans have been developed to tolerate specific herbicides, making weed control more efficient.
• These crops are widely cultivated in countries like the USA and are approved in India but are not yet approved in India.