What is the hurry for GM mustard?

Subject :Science and Technology

Context:

Experts express concern regarding the recent recommendation of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) for approval for the environmental release of genetically engineered (GE) mustard (DMH-11 hybrid) in India.

Background:

India’s rising import bill for edible oil: In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, the country produced just 8.5-9 million tonnes (mt) of edible oil while importing 14-14.5 mt, resulting in a record foreign exchange outflow of $18.99 billion.
DMH-11 hybrid: It was developed by genetic modification (GM) by the DU’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) by the process of hybridisation of two alien genes (barnase + barstar) isolated from a soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.
DMH-11 is claimed to have shown an average 28% yield increase over the Indian mustard variety ‘Varuna’ in field trials carried out by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
GEAC: It is a body responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to the “release” of GM organisms and products (ordinarily considered hazardous) into the environment.
In the case of the DMH-11 hybrid, it has recommended the environmental release of DMH-11 for its seed production and testing prior to commercial release.

Dangers of Herbicide-tolerant:

The potentially harmful long-term ecological and economic consequences of releasing DMH-11.
Details of the mandatory trials to ensure food-environmental safety – a prerequisite before environmental release have not been made public.
A detailed long-term assessment of the potential social and economic benefits of using DMH-11 remains to be made.
This will cause displacement of manual labour engaged in weeding as the GM mustard is weed tolerant.
The new system may threaten the population of honey bees as mustard flowers are a source of nectar for honey bees.
The disastrous effect of the spread of herbicide resistance (HT) gene on the normal crop.

The following requirements for environmental release have been proposed by GEAC –

Usage of any formulation of herbicide is recommended only under controlled and specified conditions.
Usage of any formulation of herbicide is not permitted for cultivation in the farmer’s field.
The applicant (CGMCP) should conduct field demonstration studies with respect to the effect of GM mustard on honey bees.

Super seeds-

Super seeds refer to the production of a new and more efficient variety of seeds with the help of modern biotechnology, by combining two already existing varieties of seeds.
The newly produced seeds can have the properties like-
- Increased productivity
- Drought resistant and can sustain the high temperatures
- Need less water for crop production
- Herbicide-tolerant
- Resistant to pests, etc.