India’s Shift from GM Crops to Genome Editing: A New Era in Agricultural Biotechnology
Table of Contents
Source: Indian Express
Relevance: GS-III – Agriculture, Biotechnology,
Key Concepts for Prelims and Mains:
For Prelims:
Genome Editing (GE) • CRISPR-Cas9 • Cas12a • GeoCas9 • CasLambda • TnpB (miniature editor) • Transgene-free • Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC) • Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) • National Agricultural Science Fund • ICAR • IARI • Samba Mahsuri • MTU-1010
For Mains:
- Regulatory differentiation (GE vs GM) • Climate-resilient crop breeding • Public sector biotechnology • Ethical & biosafety governance • Capacity building and indigenous IP • Socio-economic impacts of GE deployment
Why in News?
India is witnessing rapid progress in genome-edited (GE) crop development. After years of essentially stalled GM approvals (commercial GM cultivation limited to Bt cotton), GE varieties of major crops — notably two rice lines (improved Samba Mahsuri and MTU-1010) and a low-pungency canola-quality mustard — have advanced through multi-location trials. Regulatory relaxations, major budgetary support and capacity building have together accelerated the GE pipeline.
What is genome editing and how it differs from GM
- GM (Genetic Modification): Introduces foreign genes from unrelated organisms (transgenic).
- GE (Genome Editing): Makes precise changes to a plant’s own genes (knock-outs, base edits, etc.) without permanently inserting foreign DNA.
GE uses programmable molecular tools (CRISPR systems) guided by RNA to cut/modify target DNA sequences. Because the edited lines can be transgene-free after breeding, they are treated differently from transgenic GM crops.
Recent GE breakthroughs in India
- Samba Mahsuri (GE): Edited Gn1a (cytokinin oxidase) to raise cytokinin levels → more spikelets → higher yields (reported ~19% yield gain in trials).
- MTU-1010 (GE): Edited drought/salt tolerance genes → improved performance on saline/alkaline soils.
- Mustard (GE): Canola-quality, low-pungency variety with edits conferring disease/pest resistance — in second year of multi-location trials; possible release in 2026 if results hold.
CRISPR tools and the transgene-free pathway
- Cas9 and Cas12a have been widely used for edits in rice and mustard. The Cas proteins are present transiently and segregated out in subsequent generations; the final variety contains no exogenous DNA.
- Newer tools (GeoCas9, CasLambda) and indigenous miniature editors (TnpB-based systems) broaden editing options and reduce dependency on foreign IP.
Policy push & regulatory easing
- A March 2022 MoEFCC office memorandum exempted transgene-free GE plants from the full biosafety regime applicable to GM crops. Instead of GEAC(Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee), GE projects now need IBSC certification that no exogenous DNA remains.
- This regulatory distinction has greatly shortened approvals for field trials, seed production and release—effectively treating many GE varieties akin to conventionally bred lines.
Funding, pipeline and institutional role
- GE research received targeted support through the National Agricultural Science Fund (work initiated c.2018) and a dedicated allocation (₹500 crore) in the 2023–24 Union Budget.
- ICAR has mapped hundreds of target genes: ~178 genes across 24 field crops and 43 genes in horticultural crops — enabling precise trait engineering for yield, stress tolerance, nutrition and disease resistance.
Strengthening India’s Human Resource Base for a GE-Driven Agricultural Future
Advanced Training for Indian Scientists
Developing genome-edited (GE) crops demands highly specialised expertise. To build this capacity, ICAR has undertaken extensive international training efforts.
- Nine scientists have already received advanced hands-on training in leading institutes across the US, Europe, Australia, and CIMMYT (Mexico).
- Twelve additional researchers are scheduled for similar training programs, ensuring a steady expansion of India’s skilled GE workforce.
Partnership with Global Genome Editing Leaders
India has also deepened collaborations with the world’s foremost GE institutions.
- In February 2025, the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI)—founded by Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna, co-creator of CRISPR-Cas9—conducted intensive training sessions for scientists and scholars at IARI.
- IGI has also supplied next-generation editing systems such as GeoCas9 and CasLambda, expanding India’s toolkit beyond the commonly used Cas9 and Cas12a enzymes.
Indigenous Innovation: The TnpB-Based Mini-Genome Editor
A major milestone in India’s GE capability is the development of a homegrown genome-editing tool by a team led by Kutubuddin Ali Molla at the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack.
This tool, based on TnpB (Transposon-associated proteins), offers significant advantages:
- Much smaller proteins compared to Cas9/Cas12a → easier to deliver inside plant cells.
- Lower cost, since it is based on Indian intellectual property, reducing dependence on foreign patents.
- High precision, making it a powerful alternative for targeted gene edits.
India’s Growing Leadership in the GE Landscape
Through a combination of international collaborations, indigenous technological breakthroughs, and systematic capacity-building, India is rapidly strengthening its GE research ecosystem.
With GM crop adoption largely stalled, genome editing provides a regulatory-friendly, scientifically robust, and scalable pathway for agricultural advancement—positioning India to emerge as a global leader in next-generation crop biotechnology.
Gene Editing: Key Advantages & Concerns
Advantages
- Eliminates genetic diseases: Can correct faulty genes in embryos → prevents hereditary disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis).
- Heritable protection: Edits passed to future generations, reducing disease burden globally.
- Stronger immunity: Potential to install genes offering lifelong resistance to infections (e.g., HIV).
- Agricultural benefits: Higher yield, disease resistance, stress tolerance, and improved nutrition; helps fight hunger and malnutrition.
- De-extinction & conservation: Used in efforts to revive species like the woolly mammoth; strengthens biodiversity.
- Faster & precise breeding: Converts decades-long breeding cycles into a few years.
Concerns
- Irreversible edits in future generations: Germline modifications affect all cells and descendants → ethically risky.
- Off-target effects: Unintended mutations may cause new diseases, cancers, or long-term health issues.
- Unknown developmental impacts: Altering one gene can disrupt other pathways; consequences are unpredictable.
- Ethical objections: Seen as interfering with nature; raises issues of consent, human dignity, and moral boundaries.
- Designer babies risk: May lead to selection of traits (intelligence, appearance) and a path toward eugenics.
- Inequality: Access limited to wealthy groups → increases social and genetic disparities.
- Ecological risks: Gene drives could disrupt ecosystems (e.g., mosquito eradication affecting food chains).
Conclusion
India’s pivot from a stalled GM pathway to a dynamic GE ecosystem reflects a pragmatic mix of science, policy and funding. By coupling precision tools with regulatory clarity and indigenous innovation, India can harness GE for climate-smart agriculture — provided governance, outreach and equity remain central to deployment.
UPSC PYQ
Q. With reference to the Genetically Modified (GM) mustard developed in India, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2018)
- GM mustard contains genes from a soil bacterium that provide resistance against a wide range of pests.
- GM mustard contains genes that enable cross-pollination and hybridisation.
- GM mustard was jointly developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and Punjab Agricultural University.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
CARE MCQ
The terms “CRISPR-Cas9” and “TALENs”, frequently seen in the news, refer to technologies primarily used for which of the following purposes?
(a) Detecting pathogens through next-generation molecular diagnostics
(b) Editing specific DNA sequences using programmable nuclease-based systems
(c) Synthesizing artificial chromosomes for therapeutic cloning
(d) Producing high-yield hybrid seeds through marker-assisted selection
Correct Answer: (b) Editing specific DNA sequences using programmable nuclease-based systems