What is DMH-11 that was recently approved by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee? What are the advantages and challenges in its adoption?

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), working under the ambit of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recently approved the environmental release of GM Mustard Hybrid DMH 11 for seed production and commercial cultivation.

DMH 11:

• Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH 11) Is a genetically modified variant of herbicide tolerant mustard.
• It contains two alien genes from a soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.
• It is a high yielding commercial variety of mustard.
• It is indigenously developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP).

Advantages:

• India produces less than half of the required edible oil annually and the rest is imported, putting pressure on forex reserves.
• The genetically modified mustard with high yielding capacity will make India self-reliant in this field.
• It will increase the income of the farmers.
• Recently India has approved commercial cultivation of only one genetically modified crop, i.e. BT cotton, which has been a huge success.

Disadvantages:

• Genetically modified seeds do not create offspring seed, hence there is the need to buy the seeds every time planting a new crop.
• The higher cost of genetically modified seeds and monopoly of companies producing those seeds.
• There are several environmental concerns related to genetically modified crops.
• GM crops can have a negative impact on the species diversity.
• Ethical concerns related to GM crops.

Way forward:

The research and development in the field of agriculture is very much needed to make India self-reliant. However, the introduction of GM crops should be done with proper environmental impact assessment and safety protocols must be followed strictly.