Genetically Modified mustard (DMH-11) — UPSC Prelims PYQ 2018

With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements:

GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.
GM mustard has the genes that allow plant cross-pollination and hybridization.
GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 3 only
2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

GM mustard (DMH-11) does not have genes for pest resistance. Instead, it contains genes from a soil bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, but these genes are for facilitating hybridization through cross-pollination.

Diagram explaining creation of Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 using barnase/barstar male sterility technique from 1990s Belgium breeding innovation. It shows pollen-free female parent with sterile anther and ablated tapetum, pollen-producing male parent with fertile anther and intact RNA, and resulting F1 hybrid with barstar/barnase complex restoring fertility.

Statement 2 is correct

The GM mustard has been developed specifically to allow cross-pollination and hybridization, overcoming the self-pollinating nature of mustard flowers (flowers contain both male and female organs). This is achieved through the use of the barnase-barstar gene system, which enables hybridization and the development of high-yielding mustard varieties.

Additional Information

Barnase-barstar system is a genetic engineering approach used in plants, particularly in crops like mustard, to achieve controlled male sterility and facilitate hybrid seed production.
The technology utilises three genes derived from the soil bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (bar, barnase and barstar).
- In nature, bacteria excrete a defence protein called Barnase (ribonuclease), degrading competing bacteria’s RNA in an ecological niche.
- To protect itself from Barnase, the bacterium produces another protein called Barstar, which tightly binds with Barnase and renders it ineffective.
The insertion of the Barnase gene in the mustard plant induces genetic male sterility by preventing the production of the male gametophytes (pollen grains). Meanwhile, the Barstar gene restores the plant’s ability to produce fertile hybrid seeds.
The Bar gene is responsible for the Glufosinate (herbicide) resistance.

Statement 3 is incorrect

The transgenic mustard hybrid DMH-11 has been developed by the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at Delhi University.

Flowchart illustrating genetically modified crop approval process in India, detailing roles of key committees like IBSC, RCGM, GEAC, and MEC under various ministries. Color-coded boxes and arrows show sequential steps from data review and safety analysis to state government permission and commercial release, highlighting legal frameworks such as PPV & FR Act 2001 and Seeds Act 1966.

Additional Information

In 2004, India allowed commercial cultivation of GM cotton (non-edible), which now accounts for more than 90% of the nation’s harvest.
In 2010, GM eggplant (brinjal) also cleared GEAC’s review, but an indefinite moratorium was placed on its introduction, citing safety concerns.
Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11) will be the second GM plant, and the first Indigenously developed GM food crop to reach India’s farmers (if approved).
- In a split verdict, the Supreme Court July 23, 2024 ruled against approval of the commercial sale and release of genetically modified mustard in India at present (Gene Campaign vs Union of India and Others case).
- The matter has since been placed before the Chief Justice of India to send it to a larger bench.