GM Mustard DMH11 approved to ensure self reliance in edible oils

GM Mustard DMH11 approved to ensure self reliance in edible oils

Government of India has approved environmental release of GM Mustard DMH11 to pave the way for its commercial cultivation. Till now, India has only approved one other GM crop for commercial cultivation prior to this : BT Cotton in 2002.

GM Mustard DH11 was developed at Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP). It is made through Barnase-Barstar system which is a hybrid seed production system used in self pollinated crops to increase the crop yield and its adaptation, also known as hybrid vigour or heterosis. This system has been used successfully in countries like Australia, Canada and America for many decades.

Toxicity, allergenicity, field trials, compositional analysis, and environmental safety studies have shown that GM Mustard DH11 is safe for cultivation, food, and feed use.

Significance of approving GM Mustard

• It will be India’s first genetically modified food crop to be approved for commercial cultivation.
• Boost domestic production and productivity of mustard crop (approx. 28% higher yield).
• It will help to reduce India’s import bill of edible oil. India imported 14.1 million tonnes of edible oil in 2021-22 which is about 2/3 of total India’s consumption. Edible oil is India’s third largest import item after crude oil and gold.

About GM Crops

As per WHO, Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) are organisms whose genetic material has been altered in such a way that does not occur naturally through recombination. In India, all GM crops are required approval from the Genetic Modified Appraisal Committee (GMAC) for commercial cultivation.

• GM Crops can help address food security challenges.
• It can reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides, and can be environmentally friendly.
• It can be engineered to tolerate weather fluctuation and extreme, further help to reduce the effect of climate change.
• Farmers can also benefit from higher and increased income.

Concern related to GM Crops

• It can cause negative long term consequences on human health.
• GMO are self replicating organisms that causes genetic contamination of the environment, which can not be reversed.
• Lack of transparency in the regulatory process increases concerns further. For example, GEAP’s refusal to publicly release safety testing data.
• Concerns about the loss of food biodiversity if corporate food varieties flood the market.