Status of research, regulations and challenges for genetically modified crops in India

Abstract

A large number of genetically modified (GM) crops, including both food and non-food crops carrying novel traits have been developed and released for commercial agriculture production. Soybean, maize, canola and cotton for the traits insect resistance and herbicide tolerance are the main crops under commercial cultivation worldwide. In addition, many other GM crops are under development and not yet released commercially. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its report, the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2017, highlights the severity of food security and malnourishment problem in most of the Asian and developing countries. GM crops could be an option for nutrients enhancement and yield increase in major crops and solve the problem of malnourishment and food security. India has progressed tremendously in GM crops research, evaluation and monitoring in last two decades but regulatory system impeded gravely due to lack of coordination and common stand on GM technology across different governments, ministries and departments. The increasing cultivation of genetically modified crops has raised a wide range of concerns with respect to food safety, environmental effects and socioeconomic issues. Here, we discussed the current status of GM crops research, regulatory framework, and challenges involved with transgenic plants research in India.

Gibberellins Target Shoot-Root Growth, Morpho-Physiological and Molecular Pathways to Induce Cadmium Tolerance in Vigna radiata L.

“…Reduction in plant growth and pod size occurs under HM stress in mung bean [15][16][17]. Several biotechnological strategies have been adopted towards improving the HM stress management in crop plants [18], such as HM tolerance assisted by microbes [19], transgenics [20,21], and use of phytohormones [22,23]. A strong criticism for transgenic approaches of improving yield and abiotic or biotic stress tolerances of crop plants have impeded the acceptance of transgenic crops by the population world over [24,25].…”

An Outlook on Global Regulatory Landscape for Genome-Edited Crops

“…All GM crops need GEAC approval before they can be commercialized for public consumption. MoEFCC also follows the CPB, and has established institutes to evaluate biosafety regulations for GM crops; one such institute is the Biosafety Clearing House set up in 2017 [ 234 , 235 ]. The CPB sets out guidelines necessary for environmental protection and safe human consumption of all living GMOs, including GM crops.…”

“…India’s regulations were initiated in 1982, after the foundation of a National Biotechnology Board [ 223 ]. MoEFCC introduced the regulations under EPA in 1986, which was altered to become ‘the rules for the manufacture, use, import, export and storage of hazardous microorganisms, genetically engineered organisms’ in 1989 [ 234 ]. The EPA referred to hazardous microorganisms and genetically engineered organisms as ‘hazardous substances’.…”

Gibberellins target shoot-root growth, morpho-physiological and molecular pathways to induce cadmium tolerance in mung bean

“…Several biotechnological strategies have been adopted towards improving the HM stress management in crop plants (Ovečka & Takač, 2014), such as HM tolerance assisted by microbes (Tiwari & Lata, 2018), transgenics (Ai et al ., 2018; Belykh et al ., 2019) and use of phytohormones (Sytar et al ., 2019; Nguyen et al ., 2021). A strong criticism for transgenic approaches of improving yield and abiotic or biotic stress tolerances of crop plants have impeded the acceptance of transgenic crops by the populace world over (Shukla et al ., 2018; Karky & Perry, 2019). Eco-friendly approaches (phytohormonal and microbe assisted) of improving HM stress tolerances in crop plants offers an alternate way without fiddling the genetic make of crop plants and germplasm erosion (Mohite et al ., 2017; Sytar et al .,2019; Haq et al ., 2020).…”