Advancements in Genomic Editing in India

Summary of Key Points on Genetic Engineering in Agriculture in India

Current Status of GM and GE Crops:

• Genetically Modified (GM) Crops: Progress limited to Bt cotton, with no new technologies since the release of Bollgard-II in May 2006.
• Genome Edited (GE) Crops: Recent advancements include two GE rice lines (Samba Mahsuri and MTU-1010) identified for release after successful trials for the 2023 and 2024 kharif seasons.
  • Samba Mahsuri GE line shows a 19% increase in yield.
  • MTU-1010 GE line is suited for saline and alkaline soils.
  • A new GE mustard line is undergoing trials and projected for release by August 2026.

Distinction Between GM and GE:

• GM Crops: Introduce foreign genes from unrelated species.
• GE Crops: Involve editing existing genes in the plant, with no foreign DNA. Uses techniques like CRISPR for precision editing.

CRISPR Technology Details:

• Techniques Used:
  • Cas9 and Cas12a proteins for gene editing of traits like drought/salt tolerance in rice and glucosinolate transporters in mustard.
  • Notable gene edited includes the Gn1a gene in rice, affecting grain production.

Policy and Regulatory Framework:

• Exemption from Biosafety Regulations: GE plants do not require the stringent biosafety assessments that GM crops do, as per MoEFCC’s memorandum dated March 30, 2022; they are certified valid by an Institutional Biosafety Committee.
• Funding Support: The 2023-24 Union Budget allocated Rs 500 crore for agricultural science, including Rs 310 crore for field crop research.

Agricultural Initiatives:

• Initiated in 2018, the program aimed to improve rice varieties financed by the National Agricultural Science Fund.
• ICAR has identified 178 genes for editing across 24 field crops and 43 genes in 16 horticultural crops.

Human Resource Development:

• Advanced training provided to scientists in international institutions to bolster local expertise in genome editing technologies.
• Nine scientists have already received training; more expected in the upcoming months.

International Collaboration:

• Collaboration with institutions like the Innovative Genomics Institute, founded by Nobel Laureate Jennifer Doudna, for training in CRISPR technology.

Indigenous Innovations:

• Development of an indigenous GE tool by Indian scientists using alternative proteins for more efficient genome editing, aiming at cheaper and effective research tools.

Conclusion:

India’s approach to GE crops appears to be evolving positively, with significant government backing and advances in biotechnology. This progression signals a potential transformation in agricultural productivity, aligning closely with food security objectives while bypassing the challenges faced by GM crops.