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What's the article about?
- This article discusses the recently recommended “environmental release” of the transgenic hybrid mustard DMH-11 for seed production by the Biotech Regulator of India – Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
Relevance:
- GS3: Awareness in the fields of Biotechnology; Prelims
What's the crux of the article:
- DMH-11 is GM variety of the Indian mustard variety ‘Varuna’.
- It was given the same clearance by GEAC back in 2017. But then the Union Environment Ministry rejected it & asked to do more study on it.
- Now GEAC again cleared it for “environmental release”.
- Now, the Union Environment Ministry will take final call on it.
What is DMH-11?
- Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 is a genetically modified hybrid variety of the mustard species Brassica juncea.
- It was developed by Scientists at Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP), with the aim of reducing India's demand for edible oil imports.
- DMH – 11 was created through transgenic technology, primarily involving the Bar, Barnase and Barstar gene system.
- It contains two alien genes isolated from a soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.
- The Barnase gene confers male sterility, while the Barstar gene restores DMH – 11's ability to produce fertile seeds.
- The insertion of the third gene Bar, enables DMH – 11 to produce phosphinothricin-N- acetyl-transferase, the enzyme responsible for Glufosinate resistance.
What is the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)?
- It functions in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
- GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
- As per Rules, 1989, it is responsible for appraisal of activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.
- The committee is also responsible for appraisal of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.
Way Forward
- After the huge success of Bt Cotton, this clearance is a welcome step from GEAC. To become self-sufficient in terms of edible oils, the government must act swiftly to take a final call on the future of DMH-11.
