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GS 3 – Science and technology
Genetically Modified (GM) Crops refer to plants whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to introduce desired traits. These traits may include resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental conditions, improvement of crop yield, or enhancement of nutritional content.
Key Features of GM Crops:
- Improved Resistance:
- Resistance to pests (e.g., Bt cotton resists bollworms).
- Resistance to herbicides, allowing selective elimination of weeds.
- Tolerance to drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures.
- Enhanced Productivity:
- GM crops can potentially increase yield and reduce crop losses.
- Faster growth and shorter harvesting cycles.
- Nutritional Benefits:
- Biofortified crops such as Golden Rice (enriched with Vitamin A).
- Reduced Dependence on Chemical Inputs:
- Reduced need for pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
Examples of GM Crops in India:
- Bt Cotton:
- India’s only commercially approved GM crop.
- Modified with genes from Bacillus thuringiensis to resist bollworms.
- Adopted widely, leading to a significant increase in cotton productivity.
- GM Mustard (Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 or DMH-11):
- Developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at Delhi University.
- Aimed at increasing mustard yield and reducing oil imports.
- Golden Rice:
- Genetically modified to combat Vitamin A deficiency but not yet commercialized in India.
Advantages of GM Crops:
- Economic Benefits:
- Lower production costs due to reduced pesticide use.
- Higher income for farmers due to increased yield.
- Environmental Benefits:
- Reduced pesticide and herbicide application lowers soil and water contamination.
- Food Security:
- Can address hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.
Concerns and Challenges:
- Environmental Concerns:
- Potential for gene flow to non-GM crops or wild relatives.
- Development of pest resistance to GM traits.
- Impact on biodiversity.
- Health Concerns:
- Potential allergenicity or toxicity of GM food.
- Long-term health impacts remain uncertain.
- Socio-Economic Issues:
- Dependence on multinational corporations for seeds.
- Impact on small-scale farmers.
- Ethical Concerns:
- Tampering with natural genetic structures is viewed as unnatural by some.
Regulatory Framework in India:
- Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC):
- Apex body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
- Reviews and approves GM crop trials and commercialization.
- Biosafety Guidelines:
- Rules for field trials, environmental safety, and risk assessment of GM crops.
Way Forward:
- Robust Regulatory Mechanisms:
- Strengthen monitoring to ensure biosafety and minimize risks.
- Research and Development:
- Encourage indigenous research to reduce reliance on foreign technology.
- Public Awareness:
- Educate stakeholders, including farmers and consumers, on the benefits and risks of GM crops.
- Promoting Sustainable Agriculture:
- Balance GM technology with traditional and organic farming methods.
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