Q. With reference to Genetically modified (GM) crops, consider the following statements::
1.GM crops are a major cause of environmental pollution and are responsible for the decline in bee populations worldwide.
2.India does not yet have a well-established regulatory framework in place to control and supervise the introduction and cultivation of GM crops.
3.Golden rice is a type of GM crop.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect. While there are environmental risks associated with GM crops, GM crops are not a major cause of environmental pollution. There is also no scientific evidence to prove that GM crops are responsible for the decline in bee populations worldwide. India has a well-established regulatory framework in place to control and supervise the introduction and cultivation of GM crops, e.g., The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), ICAR and various other rules and regulations are already in place.
Statement 3 is correct. In some parts of Asia, a genetically modified version of rice known as Golden Rice has been developed. This rice is modified to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, in the edible parts of the rice plant. This is intended to combat vitamin A deficiency.
Source: ForumIAS
