Q. Consider the following statements about genome-edited rice varieties developed by ICAR:
1.These rice varieties are the first genome-edited rice varieties developed in the world.
2.These are considered as a Genetically Modified (GM) as they incorporate some foreign DNA.
3.The ‘Pusa DST Rice 1’ is a salinity tolerant crop variety.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct
Statement 1 is correct: Genome-Edited Rice Varieties are developed by the ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi and the Indian Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Hyderabad. They are world’s first genome-edited rice varieties, named as – DRR Rice 100 (Kamla) and Pusa DST Rice 1.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Current genome technology involves using living organisms from native crop species (known as SDN 1 and SDN2 types of genome editing) to enhance productivity and achieve desired results, rather than incorporating alien organisms or bacteria. The two new varieties incorporate no foreign DNA, so they are not genetically modified (GM). Hence, these varieties are exempt from the biosafety regulations outlined in Rules 7-11 of the 1989 Environment (Protection) Act.
Statement 3 is correct: Pusa DST Rice 1 was developed from MTU1010 and is a ‘salinity tension tolerant’ crop.
Source: TH
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