How GM mustard was developed, why the question of its approval has now reached Supreme Court

Last Updated17/01/2024

The Supreme Court recently questioned the Centre about the approval of the environmental release of transgenic mustard hybrid DMH-11 by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
The Court raised concerns about the lack of consideration of Technical Experts Committee (TEC) reports by the GEAC.

The GEAC functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
It has been tasked with the appraisal of proposals relating to the “release” of GM organisms and products (ordinarily considered hazardous) into the environment.

The top court is addressing pleas for a moratorium on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) release into the environment.
The petitions contend that the release must happen after a comprehensive, transparent and rigorous biosafety protocol only.
The Centre also seeks the withdrawal of an earlier commitment to refrain from commercial cultivation of GM mustard.
In November, 2022, the court ordered for status quo on the GEAC’s previous decision to approve GM mustard for commercial cultivation, raising concerns about the risk factors.

Developed by Delhi University's Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, DMH-11 involves genetic modification for hybridization in mustard, a self-pollinating plant.
Scientists have developed the hybrid mustard DMH-11 containing two alien genes isolated from a soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.
The hybridization system, utilising 'barnase' and 'barstar' genes, claims a 28% yield increase over traditional varieties.

The GEAC recommended the environmental release of DMH-11 for seed production and testing before commercial cultivation.
It also proposed the release of parental lines (carrying the barnase and barstar genes) for developing new hybrids with potentially higher yields.
- The barnase-barstar system enables breeding of hybrids from a wider range of mustards, including those of East European origin such as ‘Heera’ and ‘Donskaja’.
- New traits can also be introduced relating to resistance against disease (alternaria blight and stem rot fungus) or canola oil quality (zero/ low levels of erucic acid and glucosinolates, seen as negative from a health standpoint).

Presence of a third ‘bar’ gene: It makes GM mustard plants tolerant to the spraying of glufosinate ammonium, a chemical used for killing weeds.
This may cause displacement of manual labour engaged in weeding by promoting the use of chemical herbicides.
GM mustard threatens or undermines the population of honey bees.
- Mustard flowers are a source of nectar for honey bees and many other pollinator insects.
GEAC recommended herbicide usage exclusively for seed production and called for field studies to assess the impact on pollinators post-environmental release.
The GEAC also cited the report of an expert committee which stated that it is unlikely that the bar, barnase and barstar system will pose an adverse impact on honey bees and other pollinators”.

The approval could address India's significant edible oil import bill, prompting considerations to boost domestic production.
With an annual edible oil production of 8.5-9 million tonnes and imports of 14-14.5 million tonnes, the move can reduce the country's dependence on foreign imports, especially given the high foreign exchange outgo.