Target 140+ part 2 Lecture 31

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.

▪ Gene-edited plants are created using a newer 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. Meganudeases
2. ZFN (Zinc Finger Nucleases)
3. TALENS (Transcription activator-like effector nucleases)
4. CRISPER-Cas-9
5. Jumping gene editing tool.

GM Mustard
• GEAC recently approved commercial cultivation o 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
• 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-cryl Ac 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: bacterium Agrobacterium
tumafaciens. Its inclusion mal 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. DEFT Notification

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

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,

3) 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):

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

5) District Level Committees (DLCs):

• 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.
• The District Collector heads the Committee

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 organization.

Serve as a nodal point for interfacing with other Regulatory Committees regarding ongoing
research within the institutions.

Responsible for ensuring adherence to RDNA Safety Guidelines,

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)
• 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