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GMO V/S Transgenic Plants

-GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) and transgenic

plants are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer
to slightly different things.

GMO

↑
-GMOs refer to any organism whose genetic material has
been altered using genetic engineering techniques. This can
include plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Transgenic Plants
-Transgenic plants, on the other hand, specifically refer to
plants that have had genes from another species introduced
into their DNA using genetic engineering techniques.
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GC
Gene-edited plants are created using a newer ⑳
technique called CRISPR-Cas9. This allows scientists to
precisely edit the DNA of a plant without introducing
genes from another species

Recombinant
-
DNA
Technology:
-

joining together DNA molecules of two different species

-done
by gene editing,
 Gene Editing Techniques-
1.
Meganucleases
2. 2FN(Zinc Finger Nucleases)
3. TALENs (transcription activator like
-

effector nucleases)
4. CRISPER-CaS- 9

tool.
3.
Jumping gene editing
*
GM Mustard

● GEAC recently approved commercial cultivation of

genetically modified mustard.

● DMH-11 (Dhara Mustard Hybrid) is a genetically modified

(GM) mustard Hybrid.

● GM mustard is the country's first genetically modified food

crop
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F

⑳
GM

↳ food
GM
GCAC
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● It used a "Barnase" gene and "Barster" gene isolated from a
soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
World’s First Genetically Modified Rubber: Assam

● It is developed by Rubber Research Institute and it was planted

in Assam.

● It is the first of its kind developed exclusively for this region,

and is expected to grow well under the climatic conditions of the
mountainous northeastern region.

● GM rubber has additional copies of the gene MnSOD, or

manganese-containing superoxide dismutase, inserted in the plant,
which is expected to tide over the severe cold conditions during
winter in the northeast.
GEAC planning to recommend ‘environmental release new variant
GM Cotton

BG-II RRF of Cotton (HT Bt Cotton Variant)

● Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex (BG-II RRF) is a transgenic

cotton having three alien genes

● Two of the alien genes – cry1Ac and cry2Ab – were isolated from
a soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.

● These genes have proteins that are harmful for American

bollworm, spotted bollworm and tobacco caterpillar insect pests.
● Third gene – cp4-epsps – was obtained from another soil
bacterium Agrobacterium tumafaciens. Its inclusion makes
the cotton crop “tolerant” to the harmful herbicide
glyphosate, which does not distinguish between the crops
and weeds.

● BG-II RRF cotton was developed by the American

company Monsanto, which was acquired by Bayer in 2018.
Genetic Modified Crops Regulation in India

1) Regulated by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and

Climate Change( MoEFCC) under the provisions of the Environment
=

(Protection) Act, 1986.

2) GM foods are also subjected to regulations by the Food Safety and

Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Food Safety and
Standards Act, 2006.

3) Biological Diversity Act, 2002

4) Plant Quarantine Order, 2003

5) Drugs and Cosmetics Rule (8th Amendment), 1988

6) DGFT Notification
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 ⑧
Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or
Cells 1989 (Rules of 1989)

● Under Environment (Protection) Act of 1986

● Aim of ‘Rules 1989’ — To protect environment, nature and health

in connection with application of gene technology and micro-
organisms.

● These rules cover areas of research as well as large scale

applications of GMOs and their products including experimental
field trials and seed production

● Rules 1989 also define the competent authorities and composition

of such authorities for handling of various aspects of the Rules
 Rules 1986

Presently there are six committees under Rules 1989

1) Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RDAC):

● Functions are of an advisory nature. It recommends safety

regulations for India in recombinant research, use and
applications.

~
● Constituted by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of
the Union Ministry of Science & Technology
2) Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM):

● Function—To monitor the safety related aspects in respect

of on-going re search projects.

● Established under the Department of Biotechnology,

Ministry of Science and Technology.

Responsible for bringing out manuals/ guidelines

specifying procedures for con- duct of GMO
research,
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)

● It functions under MoEF&CC under provisions of the

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Composition:

● Chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of

MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the
Department of Biotechnology (DBT)

● Presently, it has 24 members and meets every month to

review the applications in the areas indicated above.
Functions:

● Under the EPA 1986 “Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import,

Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically
Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989”( Rules, 1989), GEAC is
responsible for appraisal of activities .

● It is also responsible for appraisal of proposals relating to

release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms

● It evaluates research into GM plants and recommends, or

disapproves, their release into farmer fields.
4) State Biotechnology Coordination Committee (SBCC’s) :

⑳
● This Committee, headed by the Chief Secretary of the
respective State is constituted in each Indian state where
research application of GMOs are contemplated.

● The Committee has the powers to inspect, investigate and take

t
punitive actions in case of violations of the statutory provisions.

v
5) District Level Committees (DLCs) :
⑰
● This Committee is constituted at the district level to
monitor the safety regulations in installations engaged in the
use of GMOs in research and applications.
⑰
O
● The District Collector heads the Committee
 ⑧
6) Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC)

● This Committee is constituted by the organizations

involved in research with GMOs.

● The committee requires the approval of the Department

of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.

● IBSC also has a nominee from the DBT who oversees

the activities to ensure that safety aspects in accordance
with the safety guidelines are fully adhered to by the
organisation.
Serve as a nodal point for interfacing with other
Regulatory Committees regarding ongoing research
within the institutions.

⑲
Responsible for ensuring adherence to RDNA
Safety Guidelines,

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&
Genome-Edited Plants

● Recently, the Government has allowed genome-edited plants

without the cumbersome GMO (Genetically Modified
Organisms) regulation of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal
Committee (GEAC).( April 2022)
⑬
● Government has exempted Site Directed Nuclease (SDN) 1 and
2 genomes from Rules 7-11 of the Environment Protection Act,
thus allowing it to avoid a long process for approval of GM crops
through GEAC

● Institutional BioSafety Committee (IBSC) under the

Environment Protection Act would now be entrusted to certify
that the genome edited crop is devoid of any foreign DNA

Y
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A
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Difference Between Genetic Modification and Gene Editing

● Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) involves

modification of the genetic material of the host by introduction
of a foreign genetic material.

● Gene editing is different from genetic modification, because

it does not result in the introduction of DNA from other species
and creates new varieties similar to those that could be
produced more slowly by natural breeding processes