GS Paper 3 S&T 21 July 2022

Write a critical note on GM crops and it's significance. 10 marks

Est. writing time: 12–15 min

Word count: ~388 words

Biotechnology is an emerging field to provide the solution for multiple problems from genetic disorder to organ transplantation to fortified food products and GM organisms.
GM crops are the product of genetic engineering where we insert some outside gene, bacteria or organism to make the seed naturally pest, insect or disease resistant. For Example – BT Cotton where we insert Bacillus Thuringiensis to make it naturally resistant to wool worm and to enhance productivity.
Over time, vast controversy regarding GM crops and associated bio-pollution. In India, we have Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee with a task to give field trials clearance. But we do not have a National Biotechnology Authority to take decisions.

Government formulated Vasudev Acharya Committee regarding GM crops and their viability. As per the committee:

GM crops are result of terminator seeds farmers cannot utilize it to grow the crop again. Therefore, increasing financial burden.
Since independence we enhance our agricultural productivity by using hybrid variety of seeds. Therefore, there is no link of GM crops with food security.
After Green Revolution by introducing HYV seeds, India lost good amount of biodiversity. After introducing GM crops, we can further lose it.
Model of GM crops is suitable only for developed countries and not for India where majority of farmers have less than two hectares of land.
GM crops are more water intensive while India is a water deficit country.
Like antibiotic resistance, after some time insects and pests will generate natural resistance for GM crops which further result into more R&D and investment.
Still we do not know the impact over human body, associated bio-pollution and mutation which may be irreversible.
Therefore, any policy can be implemented only after full research. As per Vasudev Acharya, more than GM crops, India should focus on indigenous seed varieties.
Supreme Court (SC) also appointed Technology Advisory Committee. As per it, there must be infinite moratorium on trial of GM crops, a special GM tag for food made of GM crops and separation of GM and non-GM seeds.
Since SC judgement, India is not moving with any field trials, but they are highly important for industries as they increase productivity and decrease the input cost, trade and doubling farmer’s income.