The department of biotechnology (DoT) on May 17 notified the guidelines for the safety assessment of genome-edited plants. The guidelines are expected to accelerate genetic improvement of crops in the country.
Salient features
- It provides a road map for the sustainable use of genome editing technologies.
- It is applicable to public and private sector research institutions engaged in research and development and handling of genome edited plants.
Background
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in a notification in March 2022, had exempted certain types of genome-edited crops from the stringent biosafety regulations applicable to genetically-modified (GM) crops.
- The ministry had exempted site directed nuclease (SDN) 1 and SDN 2 genomes from rules 7-11 of the Environment Protection Act, thus allowing to avoid a long process for approval of GM crops through the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
- The government has clearly distinguished such crops (Gene Edited) from genetically modified crops (GM Crops) and has prescribed relatively easier norms for their introduction.
Benefits
- The conventional breeding technique takes 8–10 years for development of new agricultural crop varieties, while through genome-editing, the new varieties could be developed in two to three years.
- The guideline aligns and harmonizes India’s regulatory framework on genome editing with other mega food producing countries from Latin America, North America, Africa and Asian countries.
- This decision will spur product development and commercialization of genome edited plants and accelerate agriculture and good trade of such products.
- In the case of GM technology, applicants have to apply to the GEAC, which follows time-consuming testing methods along with states. Till now, cotton is the only GM crop that has been approved for commercial cultivation in the country.
Genome-edited plants Vs GMO technology
- Genome-edited plants are different from genetically-modified organisms (GMO) technology. Genome editing is a group of technologies that gives scientists the ability to change an organism’s DNA.
- Genome editing technique allows scientists to ‘cut’ DNA strands and edit genes.
- This process allowed them to bring about desired changes in the genome by using site directed nuclease (SDN) or sequence specific nuclease (SSN). Nuclease is an enzyme which cleaves through nucleic acid — the building block of genetic material.
- CRISPR allows for targeted intervention at the genome sequence. Using this tool, agricultural scientists can now edit genome to insert specific traits in the gene sequence.
- Depending on the nature of the edit that is carried out, the process is divided into three categories — SDN 1, SDN 2 and SDN 3.
- SDN1 introduces changes in the host genome’s DNA through small insertions/deletions.
- In the case of SDN 2, the edit involves using a small DNA template to generate specific changes.
- Both the processes do not involve alien genetic material and the end result is indistinguishable from conventionally bred crop varieties.
- SDN3 process involves larger DNA elements or full length genes of foreign origin which makes it similar to Genetically modified organisms (GMO) development.
- Genetically modified organisms (GMO) involves modification of the genetic material of the host by introduction of a foreign genetic material.
- In case of BT cotton, introduction of genes cry1Ac and cry2Ab mined from the soil bacterium Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) allow the native cotton plant to generate endotoxins to fight pink bollworm naturally.
- The basic difference between genome editing and genetic engineering is that while the former does not involve the introduction of foreign genetic material, the latter does.
(Source: Financial Express and Indian Express)
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