Context
Nobel laureate Richard J. Roberts, recipient of the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, defended the use of biotechnology in agriculture at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026 in New Delhi.
About CRISPR Technology
- CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene-editing technology that enables scientists to modify specific DNA sequences in an organism.
- How it works:
- A guide RNA directs the Cas9 enzyme to a specific location in DNA.
- Cas9 cuts the DNA at the targeted site.
- Scientists can then modify the genetic sequence or insert genetic material, depending on the method used.
- Applications: Crop improvement, disease resistance, nutritional enhancement and scientific research.
- Significance: CRISPR can support the development of improved crop varieties and strengthen agricultural research.
- Intellectual Property: Foundational CRISPR-Cas9 patents have been subject to legal disputes.
About Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
- GM crops are developed using genetic engineering techniques to introduce, modify or regulate specific genetic characteristics.
- They may be developed to improve resistance to pests, enhance nutritional content or introduce other desirable traits.
- Their adoption raises questions relating to biosafety, environmental effects, agricultural productivity, intellectual property and seed sovereignty.
GM Crops vs Gene Editing
- Genetic Modification: May involve introducing genetic material from another organism or modifying an organism’s genetic characteristics through genetic engineering.
- Gene Editing: Uses tools such as CRISPR-Cas9 to make targeted changes to an organism’s DNA. Some gene-editing techniques can produce changes without introducing foreign DNA.
Important Examples of GM Crops
1. Bt Cotton
- India permits Bt cotton for commercial cultivation.
- It is genetically modified to provide protection against certain insect pests.
- It is an important example of the commercial cultivation of a GM crop in India.
2. Bt Brinjal
- Bt brinjal was developed to provide resistance against the brinjal fruit and shoot borer.
- In 2010, the then Environment Minister imposed an indefinite moratorium on its introduction.
- It remains an important example in discussions on the regulation and public acceptance of GM food crops in India.
3. GM Mustard
- GM mustard has been a subject of scientific, regulatory and legal debate in India.
- In July 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on its environmental release.
- The Court unanimously asked the Union government to formulate a national policy on GM crops.
- Concerns have been raised regarding its environmental safety and the evidence supporting claims of improved yields.
4. Golden Rice
- Developed in 1999 by Ingo Potrykus and Peter Beyer.
- Engineered to produce a precursor of vitamin A in the rice grain.
- Intended to help address vitamin A deficiency.
- Indian researchers reported in a 2017 PLOS ONE study that backcrossing a Golden Rice transgene event into an Indian rice variety resulted in stunted, low-yielding plants, making them unsuitable for cultivation under the conditions studied.
Major Concerns Associated with GM Crops
- Biosafety: Potential risks to human health and the environment require scientific assessment.
- Biodiversity: Gene flow to related plants and possible effects on ecosystems need evaluation.
- Seed Sovereignty: Dependence on a limited number of companies may raise concerns about farmers’ access to seeds.
- Intellectual Property Rights: Patents and licensing arrangements can affect access to biotechnology.
- Agricultural Productivity: Claims about higher yields must be supported by independent scientific evidence.
- Socioeconomic Concerns: The affordability of seeds, impacts on farmers and equitable access to technology remain important considerations.
- Regulatory Challenges: Effective biosafety assessment, monitoring and transparent decision-making are essential.
GM Crops and India’s Regulatory Framework
- India has permitted Bt cotton for commercial cultivation but, according to the supplied article, has not permitted any GM food crop for commercial cultivation.
- The 2010 moratorium on Bt brinjal remains a significant episode in India’s GM crop debate.
- The Supreme Court’s 2024 split verdict on GM mustard highlighted the need for a clear national policy.
- The Coalition for a GM-Free India has argued for a comprehensive biosafety policy rather than a policy focused only on GM crops.
- Regulation needs to balance scientific innovation, agricultural development, environmental protection and public confidence.
Significance for India
- Food Security: Biotechnology may help improve agricultural productivity and crop resilience.
- Nutritional Security: Biofortified crops may contribute to addressing micronutrient deficiencies.
- Scientific Self-Reliance: Domestic research can reduce dependence on foreign technology providers.
- Agricultural Innovation: Gene editing can support the development of crop varieties with desirable characteristics.
- Economic Benefits: Improved crop varieties may benefit farmers if they deliver demonstrable advantages and remain accessible.
- Environmental Sustainability: Crop-improvement technologies may contribute to sustainable agriculture when supported by appropriate safety assessments.
| Important CTC from this Article Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026 |
Q. The term ‘Golden Rice’, frequently mentioned in discussions on agricultural biotechnology, refers to rice that has been developed to:
(a) Increase resistance to the brinjal fruit and shoot borer
(b) Enhance the production of a vitamin A precursor in rice grains
(c) Improve nitrogen fixation in rice plants
(d) Increase resistance to all major fungal diseases
Answer: B
Explanation:
Option (b) is correct: Golden Rice is genetically engineered to produce beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A) in the rice grain endosperm, to help tackle vitamin A deficiency.
Option (a) is incorrect: resistance to the brinjal fruit and shoot borer is the trait in Bt Brinjal, not Golden Rice.
Option (c) is incorrect: Golden Rice has no change in nitrogen fixation, which is a different research area (for example, engineering cereals to fix nitrogen).
Option (d) is incorrect: Golden Rice is not designed for fungal disease resistance, and no crop is resistant to all major fungal diseases.