Table of Contents
Relevance
Prelims Level: BT Cotton
Mains Level: Advantages and Limitations of GM crops
Why In NEWS
A research paper co-authored by leading agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan, which describes Bt cotton as a ‘failure,’ was criticised by India’s Principal Scientific Adviser as ‘deeply flawed’.
BT crops: A big Failure
The article ‘Modern Technologies for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security’ was recently published.
It is authored by P.C. Kesavan and Prof. Swaminathan, senior functionaries of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF).
What is a GM crop?
A GM or transgenic crop is a plant that has a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology.
Do we need GM crops?
- Yes and why?
- Higher crop yields.
- Reduced farm costs.
- Increased farm profit.
- Improvement in health and the environment.
No and why?
-
- Lack of clarity
- Threat to domestic crops
- There is also a potential for pests to evolve resistance
- GM for Abiotic stresses
- Abiotic stresses refer to environmental factors that could meddle with plant yield, as opposed to ‘biotic’ stressors such as insects.
- GE may be deployed to manage against Abiotic stresses.
BT (Bacillus Thuringiensis)
- BT is a soil dwelling bacterium generally used in biopesticide.
- Bt cotton was created through the addition of genes encoding toxin crystals in the Cry group of endotoxin.
- When insects attack and eat the cotton plant the Cry toxins are dissolved due to the high pH level of the insect’s stomach.
- In 2002, a joint venture between Monsanto and Mahyco introduced Bt cotton to India.
- Genetic Engineering appraisal committee (GEAC) is the central agency to allow field trials of BT/GM crops.
Don’t believe the anti-GMO campaign
- GM crops have reduced pesticide use, increased yields and profits, and cause no health hazards
- Rely on scientific evidence
- Not a failure in India
- In India some of the factors are forcing farmers to abandon India’s first genetically modified (GM) crop, Bt cotton. What are these factors? Discuss impact on agriculture and GM companies.
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