Genetically Modified Crops (GM Crops): Introduction, Uses, Risks, and Regulations, Summaries of Law

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Genetically modified crops

(GM Crops)

Introduction

 Advent of molecular biology sciences and DNA-recombinant

technology (recent past) – has spurt activities in agricultural

biotechnology and its commercial application for

improvement of crops, animals and micro-organisms

Introduction

 Genetically engineered plants are generated in a laboratory by altering their genetic makeup  Usually done by adding one or more genes to plant’s genome using genetic engineering techniques  GM crops today – at experimental development – intended to benefit farmers, consumers or industry  Benefits include improved shelf life, disease resistance, stress resistance, herbicide resistance, pest resistance, production of useful goods such as bio-fuel or drugs, ability to absorb toxins, for use in bioremediation of pollution

Introduction

 Due to high regulatory and research costs, the majority of

GM crops in agriculture are of commodity crops

 Soyabean, maize, cotton and rapeseed  Now-a-days – targeting locally important crops in developing countries  Insect-resistant cowpea for Africa  Insect-resistant brinjal for India

Potential Risks of GM Plants  Allergenicity (allergic reaction)  – requires to be tested  Gene Transfer  – gastrointestinal effects  Outcrossing  – movement of GM crops to conventional crops – food safety concern

Safety Assessment of GM Foods  Safety assessment investigates into:  Toxicity  Allergenicity  Stability  Nutritional effects  Any unintended effects  Environmental risk assessment etc

• Case to case basis
• Continuous use of risk assessments based on the Codex principles
• Post market monitoring

Safety Assessment of GM Foods

 The Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex)  Joint FAO/WHO body – responsible for compiling standards, codes of practice, guidelines and recommendations (international food code)  No binding effect on national legislation but referred by SPS Agreement of the WTO – can be used as reference for trade disputes  The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB)  Environmental treaty legally binding for its parties  Regulates transboundary movements of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs)  Exporters to seek consent from importers before the first shipment of LMOs (impact on environment)

Legislations/Regulations on GMOs

 Aftermath of WTO agreement

 issues of non-tariff barriers, ethics, environmental concerns, health etc – taken primary stage – hence series of legislations during last decade – especially to regulate transboundary movement of GMOs - GMOs are regulated in India since 1989  Rules for the manufacture, use, import, export and storage of hazardous microorganisms, genetically engineered organisms or cells, 1989 – u/the Environment Protection Act, 1986

Department of Biotechnology (DBT)

❑ Guidelines by DBT cover the entire spectrum of activities relating to GMOs and deliberate/accidental release into environment of organisms, plants, animals and products derived from r-DNA technology ❑ Amendment in 1998 – demands for ‘environmentally safe and economically viable’ ❑ 2000 – government granted permission for large-scale field testing of transgenic cotton in India

Multi-tiered Inter-ministerial Regulatory Framework in India ❑ Six Statutory Committees: ❑ Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RDAC) ❑ Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC) ❑ Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) ❑ Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) ❑ State Biotechnology Coordination Committee (SBCC) ❑ District Level Committee (DLC)

Advantages of GM Crops  GM mosquitoes - to prevent malaria  To treat Melanoma  Drought tolerance and salinity tolerance  Nitrogen use efficiency technology

Some facts about GMOs  First commercial GM food – FlavrSavr tomato – decompose delayed  GM crops – commericialised since 1996  Top three GM crops – soyabeans 52 %, maize 31 %, cotton 12 % - other crops include repesead/canola, sugar beet, alfalfa and papaya  90 % of GM crops – five countries – US, Brazil, Argentina, India and Canada  55 countries adopted Zero Tolerance Policy for unauthorised GM crops etc