Dhara Mustard Hybrid -11 (DMH-11)
Why in news :
- Recently, the field trials of the transgenic mustard variety, Dhara Mustard Hybrid -11 revealed that they have higher yielding.
- They also proved that the DMH-11 variety did not deter the pollination habits of honeybees.
- The DMH-11 had recently been approved by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) for cultivation in farmer fields just as a precursor to the commercial cultivation.
What is meant by Genetically Modified (GM) crops :
- Genetically Modified crops are those crops whose genes are artificially modified using various methods (inserting some other genetic material from other organisms).
- The main intention behind the modification is to increase the yield, to improve the tolerance to any herbicide, to improve its quality and nutritional value, also to improve the resistance to disease.
- The only transgenic seed permitted to be commercially cultivated in India is Bt Cotton.
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)?
- The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions in the Ministry of Environment, forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
- As per Rules, 1989, it is responsible for appraisal of activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.
- The committee is also responsible for appraisal of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.
- Presently, it has 24 members and meets every month to review the applications in the areas indicated above.
- GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
Syllabus : Prelims + Mains; GS3 – Environment
