genetically modified crops and regulations
DESCRIPTION
genetically modified cropsTRANSCRIPT
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
ClearIAS.com
Search
Genetically Modified Crops and Regulations in India
Early Bird Offer for the first 1000 aspirants! Get ClearIAS Prelims 2016 Test Series offer now!
Genetically modified crops (GM crops) are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified
using genetic engineering techniques. In most cases the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does
not occur naturally in the species like resistance to certain pests, diseases, environmental conditions,
herbicides etc. Genetic Modification is also done to increase nutritional value, bioremediation and for other
purposes like production of pharmaceutical agents, biofuels etc. More than 10% of the world’s crop lands is
planted with GM crops.
S G I D N A A S S E M B L Y
Patented Gibson Assembly Method. Call Us Now For DN…
Home Free IAS Study Materials IAS Books UPSC Exam Guidance
UPSC Syllabus UPSC Toppers App Prelims Test Series
Mains Test Series Current Affairs Sitemap FAQs
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Concerns regarding Genetically Modified Crops
Many believe that food on the market derived from GM crops poses no greater risk to human health than
conventional food. However, opponents have objected to GM crops on several grounds, including
environmental concerns, safety of GM foods, the business interests behind GM crops, intellectual property laws
etc.
Arguments in favor of GM Crops:
The proponents, argue that the GM technologies have been around for about 15 years and they have been in
use across the world including in countries such as Brazil and China. During a visit to India in March 2005,
Norman Borlaug – widely regarded as the father of the Green Revolution – supported producing genetically
modified (GM) food to eradicate hunger from the world. “It is better to die eating GM food instead of dying of
hunger,” said the Nobel laureate, who passed away in 2009.
Former prime minister, Manmohan Singh, saw biotechnology as key to food security and warned against
succumbing to “unscientific prejudices”.
“The concerns over their (GM crops) perceived risks should be addressed by following internationally
accepted procedures for assessing safety parameters. ICAR, which is involved in developing useful
products and technologies in this field, must contribute to the public discourse and provide clarity on this
sensitive issue,” – President Pranab Mukerjee.
Indian intelligence agency names anti-GM groups such as Greenpeace India and Gene Campaign as one of
the many “anti-national” foreign-funded NGOs hampering India’s economic progress.
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Agriculture scientists from research institutions including IARI, ICAR and various Universities demanding
“field trials” for GM crops, arguing that “confined field trials are essential for the evaluation of productivity
performance as well as food and environmental safety assessment”.
A group of prominent scientists had met under ‘father of green revolution’ MS Swaminathan at National
Academy of Agricultural Sciences ( NASA) and issued a 15-point resolution in favour of GM crops.
“A brinjal crop normally requires up to 30 sprays of insecticides. This goes into the human consumption
indirectly. If we grow and consume Bt brinjal, we will consume some of the genes that have been built into
the seeds to make the crop pest- and herbicide-resistant. Ultimately, we have to see which of the two is
less harmful for consumption” – S.S. Gosal, Director of Research, Punjab Agriculture University.
Arguments against GM crops:
Organisations such as Greenpeace argue that the GM crops don’t yield better results, but push the farmers into
debt. They lose their sovereign right over seeds as they are forced to buy GM seeds and technologies from
multinational corporations. The increasing incidence of suicide by farmers cultivating Bt cotton is cited as an
example of the perils of GM crops in a country such as India. Besides the suspect merits of GM crops, what the
opponents also say is that once they are released into the environment, it’s irreversible.
Regulatory Mechanisms in India
The top biotech regulator in India is Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). The
committee functions as a statutory body under the Environment Protection Act 1986 of the Ministry of
Environment & Forests (MoEF). It was earlier known as Genetic Engineering Approval Committee. Under the
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
EPA 1986 “Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically
Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989”, GEAC is responsible for granting permits to conduct experimental and
large-scale open field trials and also grant approval for commercial release of biotech crops.
The Rules of 1989 also define five competent authorities i.e. the Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBSC),
Review Committee of Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), State
Biotechnology Coordination Committee (SBCC) and District Level Committee (DLC) for handling of various
aspects of the rules.
PS: A Biotechnology Regulatory Authority was proposed, but the bill got lapsed due to the dissolution of 15th
Loksabha.
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
1. The Committee shall function as a Statutory Body under the Ministry of Environment & Forests for approval
of activities involving large-scale use of hazardous living microorganisms and recombinants in research
and industrial production from the environmental angle as per the provisions of rules 1989.
2. The Committee shall also be responsible for approval of proposal relating to release of genetically
engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials as per the
provisions of Rules, 1989.
3. The Committee shall be responsible for approval of proposals involving the use of living modified
organism falling in the risk category Ill and above in the manufacture/import of recombinant Pharma
products or where the end product of the recombinant Pharma products per se is a living modified
organism.
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
4. The Committee may co-opt other members/experts to the GEAC in accordance with the provisions of
Section 4, para 3 of the Rules, 1989 as necessary.
5. The Committee may also appoint subgroups/sub-committees/expert committee to undertake specific
activities related to compliance of biosafety.
6. One third members of the GEAC will constitute the quorum for convening the meeting.
7. The members of the GEAC will be required to sign a ‘Statement of Declaration of Independence’ and
‘Statement of Confidentiality’ (as per enclosed proforma).
8. The Committee shall function for a period of three year from the date of issue of this notification.
9. With the approval of the Chairman GEAC, if required, representative of other Ministries and other experts
may be invited as ‘Special Invitees’ to participate in the meeting of the GEAC depending on the issues to be
discussed.
Major companies interested in Genetically Modified crops in India include Monsanto India, Mahyco and
BASF. The industry body — Association of Biotech Led Enterprises- Agriculture Group (ABLE-AG) wants a
progressive push to the march of GM technology in India.
Genetically Modified Crops in India
The country has yet to approve commercial cultivation of a
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
GM Crops : Courtesy Hindu Business Line
GM food crop. The only genetically modified cash crop
under commercial cultivation in India is cotton.
Bt Cotton
For the time being, the only genetically modified crop that is
under cultivation in India is Bt cotton which is grown over
10.8 million hectares. Bt cotton was first used in India in
2002.
Bt Brinjal
The GEAC in 2007, recommended the commercial release of Bt Brinjal, which was developed by Mahyco
(Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company) in collaboration with the Dharward University of Agricultural sciences
and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. But the initiative was blocked in 2010.
Controversies and Moratoriums associated with GM Crops in India – Timeline
2002 – Bt cotton introduced in India.
2006 – Activists filed a PIL against GM crops in the Supreme Court.
2010 – The then environmental minister Jairam Ramesh blocked the release of Bt Brinjal until further
notice owing to a lack of consensus among scientists and opposition from brinjal-growing states. No
objection certificates from states were made mandatory for field trials.
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
2012 – Parliamentary standing committee on agriculture, in its 37th report asked for an end to all GM field
trials in the country.
2013 July – New crop trials have been effectively on hold since late 2012, after a supreme court-appointed
expert panel recommended suspension for 10 years until regulatory and monitoring systems could be
strengthened. Though the SC panel suggested moratorium on GM trails, there was no official verdict from
the Supreme Court on this issue.
2013 July – Environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan put on hold all trials following SC panel suggestions.
2014 – Her successor, Veerappa Moili cleared the way for trails. (NB: Two of Manmohan Singh’s own
environment ministers had stalled GM trials earlier, but Veerappa Moily took an opposite stand and the
process of approving the one-acre field trials restarted.)
2014 March – GEAC (UPA government) approved field trials for 11 crops, including maize, rice, sorghum,
wheat, groundnut and cotton.
2014 July – 21 new varities of genetically modified (GM) crops such as rice, wheat, maize and cotton have
been approved for field trials by the NDA government in July 2014. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal
Committee (GEAC) — consisting mostly of bio-technology supporters — rejected just one out of the 28
proposals up for consideration. Six proposals were rejected for want of more information.
There are as many as 20 GM crops already undergoing trails at various stages.
Click to share this article. Scroll down to post comments. NB: 'Print PDF' works best with Google Chrome.
Facebook 66 Twitter Google Pocket Email Print
Related
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
What's trending in ClearIAS?
Related
Agriculture Syllabus - Civil ServicesMains Exam UPSCAgriculture Syllabus - Civil ServicesMains Exam UPSC : UPSC CivilServices Mains Exam OptionalSubject consists of 2 papers. Eachpaper is of 250 marks, making atotal of 500 marks. PAPER - IEcology and its relevance to man,natural resources, their sustainablemanagement and conservation.Physical and…
In "UPSC Syllabus"
How To Study Environment For IASExam?Environment is a term which iswidely discussed all over the world,and UPSC question papers year afteryear are proving that Environmentand related areas are a must-knowfor every Civil Services aspirant.Questions from Environment touchareas of basic understanding as wellas hot topics of currentimportance…
In "Environment Notes" Causes of Soil Degradation andMethods for Soil ConservationIn "Geography Notes"
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Pre-order India 2016 Year Book
Free IAS Study Materials
Guidance and Strategies
Prelims Mock Exams
Mains Mock exams
Buy UPSC books online
IAS Toppers Interview
ClearIAS mobile app
Written by Clear IAS™
ClearIAS.com provides free IAS online coaching, guidance, strategies, books and online study-
materials with a vision that no candidate should be left out of UPSC exam competition due to in-
accessibility of expensive IAS classroom coaching. We write simple, easy to understand articles, but
always ensure high standards of quality. Rated among the best, emerging online test preparation
start ups, Clear IAS also offers for free, the popular Clear IAS android app.
You are here: Home › Current Affairs Notes › Genetically Modified Crops and Regulations in India
and tagged with: UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 3 (GS3)
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
2 Responses to "Genetically Modified Crops and Regulations in
India"
Rajesh Krishnan says:
October 5, 2014 at 10:32 am
Unfortunate that the information here is incomplete by somebody with clear bias for GM crops. They
forget to mention about the growing scientific evidence about the adverse impacts fo GM crops to human
health, biodiversity and farm livelihoods. One such recent compilation of scientific papers had abstracts of more than 400
peer reviewed published studies about these adverse impacts.
http://indiagminfo.org/?p=657
It also has commentaries from Dr M.S Swaminathan, Dr P.M Bhargava and Dr Madhav Gadgil, considered as the doyens
of Agriculture science, Modern Biology and Ecology.
It also fails to mention about the widespread global rejection of the technology despite 20 years of commercialisation and
almost 40 years of research.
Reply
ClearIAS.com says:
October 5, 2014 at 11:24 am
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
I AS BOOKS: BEST SELLERS: CLI CK
TO BUY!Recommended list of IAS Books:
Rajesh, extremely sorry if we sound biased, but we never had any intention to do so. The above
piece of article was just a compilation of the news from mainstream media. Be it GM crops or any
other issues, we always prefer balanced analysis and scientific reasoning and we would be happy, if you can add
relevant/specific points against the use of GM crops (in comments) so that the article looks more balanced. Thanks.
Reply
Comments or Queries
Enter your comment here...
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Pre-order India 2016 Year Book!
Shop Online & Pay onDelivery!
All Categories
Search
Prelims+Mains
Latest IAS Books : New Releases
IAS Books in Flipkart
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Be the first of your friends to like this
Clear IAS255K likesLike Page
Clear IAS
+ 1,334
Follow +1
I AS STUDY MATERI ALS: PRELI MS
CUM MAI NS
Indian History Notes - Indian History
and Culture.
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Geography Notes - Indian and World
Geography.
Economics Notes - Indian Economy.
Indian Polity Notes - Constitution,
Social Justice etc.
General Science Notes - Science and
Technology.
Environment Notes - Biodiversity,
Climate Change etc.
Current Affairs Notes - National and
international.
IAS Study Materials for Mains
(Extra Topics)
World History Notes - GS paper 1.
Indian Society Notes - GS paper 1.
Foreign Relations Notes - GS paper 2.
International Affairs Notes - GS paper
2.
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Internal Security Notes - GS paper 3.
Disaster Management Notes - GS
paper 3.
Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude Notes -
GS paper 4.
1. Essay
Paper
2. GS 1
Paper
3. GS 2
Paper
4. GS 3 Paper
5. GS 4 Paper
IAS Books for Civil Services
Prelims and Mains Exam
TOP POSTS & PAGES BOOKS FOR SSC/BANKI NG/MBA
UPSC NDA/CDS/IES Exam Books
SSC Exam Books
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Prelims and Mains Exam
Preparation
UPSC Syllabus – Civil Services
Exam Prelims, Mains and
Interview
IAS - How To Clear IAS Exam
and Become an IAS Officer?
IAS Study Materials and
Notes for FREE!
Salary of an IAS Officer
IAS Books in Hindi: List of
Useful Books For Hindi
Medium Aspirants
SSC Exam Books
Banking Exam Books
MBA Exam Books
Engineering Books
ALEXA RANK
Enter your e-mail ID and get each new
post of ClearIAS.com delivered straight
into your inbox.
FOLLOW US!
Search Go
Amazon.in
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
Subscribe
Email Address
ABOUT CLEARI AS.COM
Sitemap
About ClearIAS
IAS Coaching
ClearIAS App
ClearIAS Prelims Online Mock
Tests
Publisher : ClearIAS™
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
Advertise with us
Contact Us
I MPORTANT LI NKS
FAQs
UPSC
IAS
Civil Services Exam
IAS Exam Eligibility
UPSC Syllabus
How to start IAS preparation?
How to select IAS Mains optional
subject?
Useful Websites for IAS
Preparation
I AS BOOKS AND GUI DANCE
IAS Books Prelims
IAS Books Mains
IAS Books Hindi
IAS Books - New releases
Free IAS Study Materials
IAS Toppers Interview
UPSC Exams
Prelims Guidance
Mains Guidance
Interview Guidance
pdfcrowd.comopen in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
© 2016 ClearIAS.com . Technical support by MyCompleteSite.com. All rights reserved.
UPSC Previous Year Question
Papers