genetically modified organisms are organisms in which the genetic material

8/9/2019 Genetically Modified Organisms Are Organisms in Which the Genetic Material

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Genetically modified organisms are organisms in which the genetic material(DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating or

natural recombination. This technology is known as modern biotechnologyor genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technology. It allows selected

individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another, alsobetween non-related species, to give new traits to the recipient.-by Kalpana

Palkiwala26 July 2007

Transgenic Plants

-by Kalpana Palkiwala*The term GMOs - Genetically Modified Organism is most commonly used to refer to

crop plants created for human or animal consumption using molecular biologytechniques. These plants are modified in the laboratory to enhance desired traits

such as increased resistance to plant diseases, germs or improved nutrition content.The conventional plant breeding methods are very time consuming and often not

very accurate. Thus GM Foods offers a novel way to improve crop characteristicssuch as yield, pest resistance, herbicide tolerance.

Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically modified organisms are organisms in which the genetic material (DNA)

has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating or naturalrecombination. This technology is known as modern biotechnology or genetic

engineering or recombinant DNA technology. It allows selected individual genes to be

transferred from one organism into another, also between non-related species, togive new traits to the recipient.

Transgenic Plants

A transgenic plant is a genetically modified organism, which contains artificially

inserted gene or genes from an unrelated organism. The inserted gene ( known as

trans-gene ) may come from another unrelated plant, or from completely differentspecies, for example Bt. Cotton, contains a gene from a bacterium.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has formulated the Rules for theManufacture, Use, Import and Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro

Organisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cell, 1989, commonly known asRule 1989. These rules and regulations cover the areas of research as well as large

scale applications of GMOs and their products.These include recombinant pharmaproducts, transgenic crops, GM Food and product containing GM ingredients.

Biosafety Assessment Of Transgenic Crop

There are extensive rules and guidelines for evaluating environmental and healthsafety aspects of genetically modified organism. Any Company involved in the use ofgenetic engineering techniques has to obtain approval of the Review Committee on

Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) set up under the 1989 Rules in the Department of

Biotechnology for conducting tests under laboratory conditions and confined fieldconditions. Based on these results, the RCGM makes its recommendation to the

GEAC. Thereafter approval of GEAC is required for conduct of large-scale field trailsfor a number of parameters, which includes bio-safety, efficacy of the variety,

agronomic benefits and economic advantage of the GM crop. The results of the large-


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scale field trials are evaluated by the Monitoring-Cum-Evaluation Committee (MEC).

The GM crops approved for large scale trials are also evaluated under the IndianCouncil of Agriculture & Research (ICAR) testing system. The GEAC takes into

consideration the recommendations of the MEC and ICAR before approving the GMgroups for commercial cultivation.

The bio-safety assessment include environmental safety assessment as well as foodand feed safety.

Only those transgenic crops which are found to be safe for human consumption aswell as the environment are approved for commercial release.

Generating The Bio-Safety Data

Biotechnology product development and associated regulations for ensuring bio-safety is capital-intensive requiring skilled personnel. Therefore, food safety studies

are being conducted in public institutions such as Indian Veterinary ResearchInstitute, Izatnagar;National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal; Indian Toxicological

Research Institute, Lucknow; Avian Research Institute, Rae Bareilly; Central Fish

Institute and Education, Mumbai; Rallies India Ltd. Bangalore. The data generated inthese institutions are further scrutinized by independent experts as well as expertmembers of the regulatory bodies (RCGM and the GEAC).

The concept of testing toxicity and allergenicity is not new and is a common practice

in the Pharma sector where the DCGI under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act accept thedata generated by the applicants.

Further, to ensure that the data submitted by the company is correct, the provisions

under EPA provide for post- release monitoring and revoking of the clearance.

Policy For Approving Transgenic Crops

In the case of modern agricultural biotechnology, the benefits as well as risks vary

from crop to crop, region to region and technology. It is a scientifically establishedfact that Gene functions differently in different crop and the impacts vary from

species to species and the environment in which it is hosted. Further theperformance of a transgenic crop species depends on the gene-environment

interaction. Therefore a policy of case by case approval in case of genetically

modified (GM) foods or food crop is being followed. As of date, the GeneticEngineering Approval Committee has approved the commercial cultivation of only

one transgenic crop namely Bt. Cotton.

Various Stakeholder Ministries have initiated the process of evolving a GM policypertinent to their sector. Important initiatives are: The Food Safety and Standards

Act, 2006 by the Ministry of Food Processing and Industry; Import Policy forGMO/LMO Products Under Foreign Trade Policy (2005-2009) by Ministry of

Commerce (DGFT); Draft notification on mandatory Labeling by Ministry of Healthand Family Welfare; Draft National Biotech Strategy, 2005 by Department of

Biotechnology and National Environment Policy, 2006 by Ministry of Environment andForests.

Bt Cotton

Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop approved for commercial cultivation in India. Bt.


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Cotton containing Cry 1 AC gene (MON 531 event) of M/s Mahyco was the firsttransgenic crop released in India in April 2002 with the approval of the GEAC.

Subsequently, 62 new Bt cotton varieties have been released.

Bt. Stands for Bacillus Thurigniensis, a soil bacterium which synthesizes a crystal(Cry) protein . In the insect gut, the protein breaks down to release toxin, which kills

the insect. These Cry genes are known as Bt genes. Through genetic engineering,the Bt. Gene is inserted into cotton, so that the plant produces its own Bt toxin.Cotton plants with these genes provide resistance to ballworm, a major cotton pest.

Bt cotton is under commercial cultivation in USA, Australia, China, Mexico, South

Africa and Argentina.

Experience In Cultivation Of Bt CottonThe Bt cotton technology has been beneficial to farmers. The total area under Bt

cotton has increased from 72,682 acres in 2002 to 8600000 acres in 2006. The totalestimated production during 2005-06 is about 25 million bales (170 kg. each). Bt

cotton has reduced pesticide usage by 2260 MT of pesticides. Among five cottongrowing States of Gujarat, Punjab, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka,

Gujarat tops the list with maximum yield.

World over, all GM crops are assessed for its toxicity and allergenicity prior to marketauthorization.

GM crops containing Bt protein are being consumed in several countries (including

developed countries like Japan, EU, Australia and New Zealand) for many years andthere has been no scientific evidence generated on toxicity of Bt cotton to human

and animal health.

Bt Brinjal (Egg Plant)

M/s. Mahyco has produced transgenic brinjal plants with Cry I AC gene from Bacillus

thuringiensis tolerant to the fruit and shoot borer, one of the major pests whichattack the brinjal crop throughout its life cycle. This is the first GM food crop under

evaluation for release in India but it is also the first GM eggplant to be releasedglobally.

A number of public institutions and private sector companies are in various stages of

developing and attesting of GM with the approval of RCGM. Of the genetic

modifications attempt, the vast majority are intended to confer pest resistance.

Another focus of genetic transformations has been the production of higher valuehybrids in crops such as mustard.

The Genetically modified crops under field trials in the country are: brinjal, cabbage,

cauliflower, chickpea, cotton, groundnut, maize, mustard, okra, pigeon pea, potato,rice, sorghum and tomato.

*Media & Communications Officer, PIB, New Delhi.

2007-07-26 04:41:33Original Source : PIB

genetically modified organisms are organisms in which the genetic material

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