India is currently drafting regulations for the editing of genes in agriculture. The draft guidelines submitted by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have been approved by the Committee for the Approval of Genetic Engineering (GEAC). Since no-care cultivators enable breeders to make changes similar to those made by conventional breeding, the edited plant cannot be distinguished from traditionally bred plants. Therefore, edited plants should be exempt from complicated regulations, says Ram Kaundinya, Director-General, Federation of the Seed Industry of India (FSII), in an interview with Telangana Today.
Commercialization
Gene modification technology allows small changes in the genome that can mimic natural mutations observed in nature. It enables breeders to make precise, specific changes in a short period of time and a few generations compared to long-term breeding cycles associated with conventional breeding. Worldwide, some gene-edited products have been commercialized. There are many crops with improved consumer and processing characteristics in the offing.
Regulatory scenario
Regulations are based on associated risk levels, and as these crops are similar to the traditional ones, they should be treated as traditionally grown products with no additional data requirements. Worldwide, most countries have exempted the non-new plants developed by no-till from any regulations. Modified tumors with new changes such as the insertion of only foreign DNA are regulated as genetically modified tumors.
Monitoring of proper use
The proposed regulations contain a reasonable level of oversight of regulations, especially during product development. The Indian regulatory bodies at institutional as well as national level are suitable to monitor the use of the technology. The research-based Indian industry has an established stewardship process to evaluate, monitor and implement technology.
Global scenario
Worldwide, most countries have released the modified crops with small, precise modifications and regulate the modifications only with foreign DNA insertions. This applies to the USA, Canada, Japan, Russia and Latin American countries. India can play a leading role, especially in South Asia. It will also help make trade across the country smoother. Currently, India is a leader in the skill, capability and infrastructure needed to harness the technology, but a science-based predictable regulatory system will establish its leadership role in the region.
Application areas
Several laboratories and institutes in the Indian public sector are developing crop that is not edited by anyone. These include vitamin A-rich banana, enhanced rice, millet and mustard crops. Worldwide, there is a robust pipeline of unprocessed products – high oleic soybeans, non-tanning mushrooms, commercialized GABA (gamma amino acid) tomatoes and much more such as waxy maize, non-tanned potatoes and apples, vitamin A high-yield sweet potatoes, berries and tomatoes, improved camelina, lucerne, cassava crops are in the offing.
Role of FSII
FSII works with various stakeholders in India, including DBT, and shares the global best practices and industry perspective on regulations of unmodified crops to take full advantage of the technology to the benefit of farmers, consumers and sustainable agriculture. The simplicity, economy and efficiency of the technology make it usable by the small and medium-sized industry, giving a major boost to innovation as well as the improvement of local crops and characteristics. Our member companies work with academic institutions, ICAR and CGIAR laboratories to support research.
Research focus
We expect biotechnological research to spread far and wide instead of concentrating in high investment centers, as is the case with GM. The easy availability of genome tracking information, the ease of no-till and the short time required to come up with the final product will democratize the technology. More supportive regulations will encourage investment and innovation in the field.
Source: Telangana Today