Why in News?

• Environment ministry and Genetic Engineering and Advisory Council (GEAC) to decide on field-trial approvals for the controversial transgenic mustard (Dhara Mustard Hybrid – 11 (DMH-11)) developed by the University of Delhi’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP).

What is Dhara Mustard Hybrid - 11?

• Dhara Mustard Hybrid – 11 (DMH-11) is a genetically modified variety of mustard. It uses a system of genes from soil bacterium that makes mustard generally a self-pollinating plant and better suited to hybridization than current methods.
• Hybrid normally obtained by crossing two genetically diverse plants from the same species.But in this case, no natural hybridization system in mustard, unlike in cotton, maize or tomato. What team has done is, that they have created a viable hybridization system in mustard using GM technology.

Benefits of Dhara Mustard Hybrid - 11

• The resulting GM mustard hybrid is claimed to give 25-30% more yield than the best varieties such as ‘Varuna’ currently grown in the country.
• It is self-pollinating plant and is better suited to hybridization than current methods.
• India’s increasing dependence on edible oil imports makes it necessary to harness GM-mustard. India is spending $12 billion annually on import of edible oil.
• India will have to increase its productivity of oilseed crops to meet consumption and increasing population.
• DMH-11 is found to be one of the most promising technologies to increase mustard yield in India, which has been almost stagnant since the last two decades.

Concerns related to What is Dhara Mustard Hybrid - 11

• Environmentalists are raising biosafety concern with GM crops as their introduction may adversely affect environment & health.
• There has to be strong rule and regulatory laws if there are any environmental hazards or if something goes wrong in future which are not there in India at present.
• India needs technological interventions in agriculture and other fields but the issue of genetically modified crops has always been controversial and raised concern as people use mustard as edible oil, its leaves are eaten and also used for ayurvedic medication. Its adverse impact on health of the people, environment, soil, groundwater or food chain is not explores yet.
• Farmers in India want better policy, pricing and to rationalize the input costs against the cost which they get after selling it in the markets. If problem pertaining to them cannot be solved, bringing in another new technology might not solve the problem.
• There are social and economic concerns attached to any technology as well like in this case, farmers especially in Punjab and others mustard growing areas have protested against new varieties.
• Pesticide industry’s efforts to influence policymakers and regulators to create implication in reforms globally. Almost their business model aims at making profit mainly.
• India is a signatory member to Cartagena Protocol on biosafety where India has committed to public participation in decision making. If there is a lack of trust among people who are going to use it, it will be like forcing something upon them.

Possible environmental risks

• GM organisms cross pollinate and their seeds can travel far and wide. It can contaminate environment and ecosystem forever.
• GM organism crops are creating ‘super weeds’ and ‘super bugs’. That can only be killed or treated with more toxic poisons.
• Genetic engineering allows plants to survive for long with doses of weed killers, resulting in higher herbicide residues in our food can harm.

Possible economic Risks

• Introduction of a GM crop to market is a cumbersome and costly process. Patenting of GM plants is a great challenge and patenting these seeds increases the price of these seeds and small farmers especially in developing countries cannot afford to buy GM seeds every year.
• Its repercussion would be financially disastrous for poor farmers in developing countries like India, further increasing the inequality in the distribution of income.

Conclusion

• GM crops are the also help in to achieve sustainable development goal of zero hunger. It has potential to address global hunger and malnutrition issues. It can help protect and preserve the environment by increasing yield and alleviate reliance upon chemical pesticides and insecticides.
• However, the unintended impact on human health and environment is a matter of concern. The Economic viability of farmers in developing countries like India is a major issue.
• In India, a strong regulatory framework is required for commercialization of GM crops. Otherwise, years of researches and studies on GM crops will go in vain.