GM Crops: Balancing Food Security and Environmental Impact

Syllabus: Science and Technology

Source: DW

Context: Genetically modified (GM) crops are touted as a solution for global food security, especially in the face of climate change. The current “gene revolution” uses genetic editing to improve crop resilience, aiming to support a growing population and combat climate-induced agricultural challenges.

What is a GM Crop?

A GM or transgenic crop is a plant that has a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology.

The new gene revolution, driven by tools like CRISPR, allows precise gene editing without introducing foreign genes. This technology helps develop new GM crop varieties, enhancing food security.

Examples:

• Optimized Photosynthesis: Research projects are focusing on optimizing photosynthesis in staple crops such as maize and rice. This aims to improve their ability to convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into energy, thereby enhancing yields and reducing atmospheric carbon.

• Drought-Tolerant Maize: Scientists are developing drought-tolerant transgenic maize by incorporating genes from a plant known as xerophyta viscosa, which can tolerate severe dehydration up to 95%.

• Insect-Resistant Cowpea: Australian scientists are bioengineering cowpeas to have built-in resistance to insect pests, crucial for protecting this important legume staple in Africa from crop failure

Status of GM Crop in India:

In India, Bt cotton remains the sole GM crop approved for commercial cultivation. As of 2022, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has granted environmental release approval for the Mustard hybrid DMH-11, though its implementation is pending a Supreme Court decision. Additionally, ongoing research and field trials are underway for several other crops including chickpeas, pigeonpea, corn, and sugarcane.

Regulations for GM Crop In India:

In India, GM crop regulations are governed by the 1989 Rules under the Environment Protection Act (1986). The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) handles the appraisal of GM crop proposals.

GM Crops role in enhanced yields and resilience:

• Pest Resistance: GM crops can be engineered to be more resistant to pests and diseases, which can lead to increased yields. This is important in a world where food security is a growing concern. g. Bt cotton, engineered with a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, produces a protein toxic to certain pests.

• g. Bt cotton, engineered with a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, produces a protein toxic to certain pests.

• Drought Tolerance: they contain genes that enable the plant to withstand water scarcity. This characteristic enhances crop resilience in regions prone to drought, ensuring more consistent yields. g. Drought-resistant GM maize

• g. Drought-resistant GM maize

• Nutritional Enhancement: GM crops can be engineered to have higher levels of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. This can help to improve the health of people who consume these crops. g. Golden rice, fortified with beta-carotene, addresses vitamin A deficiency.

• g. Golden rice, fortified with beta-carotene, addresses vitamin A deficiency.

Ecological and food safety concerns associated with GM crops:

• Biodiversity Loss: The cultivation of herbicide-tolerant GM crops can lead to the overuse of specific herbicides. This can result in the development of herbicide-resistant weeds, disrupting local ecosystems and reducing biodiversity.

• Biosafety concerns: They can reduce species diversity. For example, Insect-resistant plants might harm insects that are not their intended target and thus result in the destruction of that particular species.

• For example, Insect-resistant plants might harm insects that are not their intended target and thus result in the destruction of that particular species.

• Cross-Pollination and Gene Flow: GM crops, such as genetically modified canola, can crossbreed with wild relatives, potentially leading to the spread of modified genes in non-GM populations and affecting natural plant diversity.

• Unintended Consequences: The introduction of GM crops resistant to specific pests might inadvertently disrupt ecological balances by affecting non-target species, leading to unanticipated ecological consequences.

Food safety concerns:

• Allergenicity: Transfer of allergenic genes into GM crops could potentially introduce new allergens or amplify existing allergenic properties, posing risks to sensitive individuals.

• Health Impacts: Altered nutritional profiles in GM crops could impact human health in unforeseen ways. The long-term effects of consuming genetically modified foods need thorough investigation.

• Resistance Development: Over-reliance on certain GM traits can lead to the evolution of resistant pests or diseases, necessitating more intensive chemical treatments and posing risks to the environment and human health.

Way forward:

Recommendation | Description

Scientific Evidence-Based Decisions | Governments should base decisions on GM technologies on robust scientific evidence, thoroughly evaluating benefits and risks before implementation.

Cultivating an environment of openness and transparency | Open communication of scientific findings and regulatory processes is crucial to address genuine fears and build public trust.

Involving stakeholders | Participation of scientists, farmers, consumers, and environmentalists in regulatory protocols enhances decision legitimacy and fosters trust in GM technology development.

Precautionary principle | Given uncertainties over GM safety, adopting this principle suggests waiting for a broader scientific consensus to minimize risks before widespread implementation.

Policy frameworks for equitable benefits | Improving policies to address concerns such as pricing, and input costs, and ensuring equitable benefits for all stakeholders involved in GM cultivation.

Strong liability laws | Implementing robust laws to hold parties accountable for environmental hazards or unforeseen consequences from GM technologies encourages responsible practices.

Insta Links:

• GM food and sustainable food production

Mains Link:

How can biotechnology help to improve the living standards of farmers? (UPSC 2019)

Prelims Link:

Q1. Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? (UPSC 2012)

• To enable them to withstand drought

• To increase the nutritive value of the produce

• To enable them to grow and do photosynthesis in spaceships and space stations

• To increase their shelf life

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (c)

Q2. Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of (UPSC 2021)

(a) clonal propagation of crop plants (b) developing genetically modified crop plants (c) production of plant growth substances (d) production of biofertilizers

Ans: (b)