Understanding Genetically Modified (GM) Crops: Benefits, Challenges & Future

Table of Contents

• What are Genetically Modified (GM) Crops?
• Need and Advantages of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
• GM Crops in India
• Differences between Transgenic Plants and Hybrid Plants
• Challenges of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
• Way Forward

What are Genetically Modified (GM) Crops?

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) include crops that have modified DNA with the help of genetic engineering techniques. It is used for introducing a new trait to plants that are not natural occurring in the species, such as resistance to specific diseases, pests, and herbicides. Bt genes are engineered into crops, as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces cytolytic (Cyt) and crystal (Cry) toxins that provide protection against insects such as mosquitoes, flies, caterpillars, and beetles. GM crops are also known as transgenic crops, biotech crops, and genetically engineered (GE) plants. These crops are produced for both human and animal consumption and are categorized into:

• Cisgenic plants involve conventional plant breeding with the help of genes of the same species or some closely related species.
• Subgenic plants are developed by modifying the genetic makeup of a plant via gene knockout or knockdown without gene incorporation from other plants.
• Transgenic plants are developed by inserting genes obtained from other species. Inserted DNA may be slightly modified to suit the host organism.

Need and Advantages of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

Genetically modified crops are gaining popularity worldwide due to the increasing global demand for improved food quality and increased food production.

• Nutrient content of crops can be enhanced by GM technology to improve dietary quality. For instance, Golden Rice is an affordable and effective nutritional source of vitamin A.
• These crops can be designed to resist various diseases and pests, thereby minimizing crop losses. Also, they reduce dependence on chemical pesticides.
• GM crops can be engineered to develop environmental resilience by offering drought resistance and drought tolerance. Thus, they can be grown in dry conditions and support no-till farming.
• GM crops can generally produce higher yields, thereby enhancing food security and ensuring improved food availability, accessibility, and affordability.

GM Crops in India

GM crops were developed first time in the mid-1990s in the USA. India has only approved cotton to be genetically modified for commercial cultivation. Bt cotton was first grown in 2002 and now covers over 90% of India's cotton area. Other crops, such as pigeonpea, sugarcane, corn, and chickpea, are undergoing various research stages and field trials.

The Environment (Protection) Act 1986 has issued Rules, 1989, to regulate GMOs, including GM crops, under the Rules for the Manufacture/ Use/ Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells. The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) implements these rules, along with DBT (Ministry of Science and Technology) and state governments. The following are the key authorities that serve different purposes:

Differences between Transgenic Plants and Hybrid Plants

Transgenic plants are developed via gene-splicing processes to artificially insert genes from other species into a genome. On the other hand, hybrid plants inherit genes from both parents belonging to the same or a closely related species.

Challenges of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

There has been a long-standing debate over the effects of GM crops on human, environmental health, along with other socioeconomic factors.

• Inserting foreign genes in a plant may cause serious health problems, including allergic reactions. Antibiotic-resistant genes can be transferred to humans or the environment, leading to the development of antibiotic resistance.
• There is a risk that big biotechnology firms will control the market for GM seeds through their patents. It may increase cultivation costs by forcing families to buy new seeds every season. Such a monopoly can largely impact small farmers.
• Dependence on pest or insect-resistant crops can lead to these pests/insects developing resistance to specific toxins over time. Additionally, herbicide-tolerant crops can increase herbicide use by facilitating the development of herbicide-resistant weeds.
• Genetic diversity can be compromised due to the extensive monoculture of GM crops, which can lead to crop failure due to increased risks of pests and diseases.

Way Forward

India requires increased food production to meet the demands of an increasing population, as well as address challenges related to land constraints and adverse climatic conditions. GM crops can be a viable solution as they promise better nutrition, pest resistance, and higher yields. However, their adoption faces a range of societal, scientific, and regulatory challenges. In 2014, the Supreme Court of India gave a split verdict for the government to form a well-structured national GM crop policy. The way forward involves investing in R&D related to GM technologies and their impacts, as well as conducting public & private consultations, and establishing a transparent regulatory process.