Description
Why in the News? The Supreme Court pronounced a split verdict on the validity of the Union government's decision to grant approval for the environmental release of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard crops in 2022. About GM Mustard Crop (DMH-11) • Developed by: Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (Delhi University) o GM mustard has not been released for commercial cultivation yet. o It is India's first indigenously developed GM food crop. • DMH-11 is a result of a crossing between two mustard varieties (‘Varuna' and East European 'Early Heera- 2'). • This cross has been done after introducing the barnase and barstar gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciense. Other Genetically Modified (GM) Crops in India • Bt-Cotton: First non-food and only approved GM crop in 2002 for commercial cultivation. o It was introduced to protect against the widespread infestation of bollworms such as Pink Bollworm (PBW). • Bt-Brinjal: In