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What are Genetically Modified crops in cotton?
Traditional hybrid seeds are a result of cross-pollination of two different but related plants,
but Genetically Modified (GM) hybrid seeds involve the artificial
insertion of a gene from a different species. GM seeds are mostly
either pest-resistant or herbicide-tolerant (HT). The herbicide- tolerant or HT
crop cultivation is not legal in India. Therefore, BT
cotton is allowed in India but not the HT cotton.
What is BT
Cotton?
BT cotton is an insect- resistant transgenic crop
designed to combat the bollworm (A type of insects which eats the boll of
cotton plant). BT cotton was created by genetically altering the cotton
genome to express a microbial protein from bacterium bacillus thuringiensis.
This gene editing, where a new gene was inserted into the
plant’s genome produces toxin crystals that the plant would not normally
produce. Therefore, it can be said that genetically modified BT cotton
plants contain a poison that protects them from their most significant
enemies like pest which harm the cotton crop. As a result, these plants rely
less on their own defense system.
What is HT Cotton?
HT COTTON- Herbicide-tolerant
(HT) cotton also known as BG-III cotton is innovation in BT cotton as it
takes care of weeds problem at much lower cost as compared to physical labor
required weeding. It contain round-up ready and round-up flex (RPF) gene. The
RPF herbicide-tolerant trait was developed and commercialized by US-
based multinational seed giant Monsanto.
Why is HT not approved by
GEAC?
The herbicide –
resistant gene in HT cotton can spread through pollen into biodiversity sites
leading to transformation of weeds into Super Weed on large scale, which will
threaten the growth and yields of all crops in future, high cultivation cost
and leads to health hazards.
Note- Bollgard &
Bollgard II technology that provide seed protection for cotton seeds. Bollard
II is about protecting the boll from the inside against threats that exist externally
the bollworm. BG-III , or herbicide Tolerant crops is further
modification in BG- II crops which are used in HT cotton.
Who does approve
the crop to cultivate post genetically modification?
The approval of genetically modified crops is
done by the GEAC or Genetic Engineering Approval Committee under the
Ministry of Environment.
What is the Issue?
There were constant media reports that illegal
and unauthorized cultivation of HT cotton was in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana,
Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
The Department of Biotechnology in Ministry of Science and
Technology has constituted Field Inspection and Scientific Evaluation Committee
(FISEC) to find out about the cultivation of HT cotton. Unofficial figures were
that the extent of unauthorized use of cotton was 20% in the country.
Surprisingly, the field inspection and scientific evaluation committee (FISEC)’s report on the planting of unauthorized herbicide tolerant (HT) or HT cotton also wrote that it has soared(increased) to 15% of the total cotton area in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana and 5% in Punjab during the 2017 kharif season (winter season).
Surprisingly, the field inspection and scientific evaluation committee (FISEC)’s report on the planting of unauthorized herbicide tolerant (HT) or HT cotton also wrote that it has soared(increased) to 15% of the total cotton area in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana and 5% in Punjab during the 2017 kharif season (winter season).
Report says available
seeds have not been smuggled from outside of the country, but manipulated with
original varieties in the country itself.
What does the law says
about HT cotton?
According to the Seed
Act 1966, seed rule 1968, Seed (Control) Order 1983 with regard to
Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Environmental Protection Rules 1989 – The
commercial cultivation, sale , cultivation and seed production of unapproved HT cotton is a
punishable offence.
