Gene-edited mustard

Subject :Science and tech

Section: Biotechnology

Context: Recently, Indian scientists developed the first ever Gene edited low-pungent mustard that is pest and disease-resistant.

More about the news:

Indian scientists have developed the first ever low-pungent mustard that is pest and disease-resistant. It is based on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, while being non-GM and transgene-free.

What are the issues with Mustard seeds:

Mustard seeds are rich in glucosinolates, a class of compounds containing sulphur and nitrogen, which lend their characteristic pungency to both the oil and meal derived from these seeds.
Rapeseed meal, a byproduct of oil extraction, is unpalatable to poultry and pigs. It must be mixed with fodder grass and water before being fed to cattle and buffaloes.
The presence of high levels of glucosinolates not only reduces feed intake in livestock but can also lead to goiter (neck swelling) and internal organ abnormalities.
In India, the dry seeds of standard mustard (Brassica juncea) contain around 120-130 parts per million (ppm or mg/kg) of glucosinolates. In contrast, canola seeds contain notably lower levels, around sub-30 ppm.”

What is this Gene Editing breakthrough:

The synthesis of glucosinolates takes place within the leaves and pod walls of mustard plants.
Transferring and accumulating these compounds in the seeds is orchestrated by glucosinolate transporter (GTR) genes.Two distinct classes of these genes, GTR1 and GTR2, encompass a total of 12 genes with six copies each.
In a significant breakthrough, researchers employed CRISPR/Cas9, a gene-editing tool leveraging an enzyme functioning as ‘molecular scissors,’ to precisely cleave the DNA at targeted locations in 10 out of the 12 GTR genes. This process activates the natural DNA repair mechanism, rendering the encoded proteins responsible for glucosinolate transport to seeds non-functional.
By accomplishing this, the scientists have produced mustard lines with diminished glucosinolate content to match the concentration in dry seeds, thereby achieving oil and meal quality akin to canola-quality rapeseed (Brassica napus) in terms of pungency.
Notably, these new mustard lines edited with GTR genes are free of transgenes, rendering them non-genetically modified (GM). They lack foreign genes commonly found in other genetically modified organisms, such as Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria genes in cotton or Bar-Barnase-Barstar genes from other soil bacteria present in GM hybrid mustard (DMH-11)

What is difference between Genome editing and Genetically modified organisms:

The fundamental contrast between genome editing and genetic modification lies in their mechanisms.
In genome editing, foreign genetic material isn’t introduced; instead, targeted modifications are made within the organism’s own genome.
In contrast, genetic modification involves the introduction of external genetic material, potentially from unrelated species, to confer specific traits.

What is Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
It is responsible for appraisal of activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.
The committee is also responsible for appraisal of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.
GEAC is 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.

Some more facts:

Use of the unapproved GM variant can attract a jail term of 5 years and fine of Rs 1 lakh under the Environmental Protection Act, 1989.
Import of any GM material is governed by the Environment Protection Act 1985.
GM import proposals are examined by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under the Environment Ministry for making a recommendation to either accept or reject the proposal.