{"id":373771,"date":"2026-10-13T19:05:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T13:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=373771"},"modified":"2026-10-13T19:05:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T13:35:50","slug":"gm-crops-in-india-arguments-in-favour-against-explained-pointwise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/gm-crops-in-india-arguments-in-favour-against-explained-pointwise\/","title":{"rendered":"GM Crops in India &#8211; Arguments in Favour &#038; Against &#8211; Explained Pointwise"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-373773 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/5bcaa189-e134-4f0b-8e2a-a9447a4d11dc.jpeg?resize=640%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"GM crops\" width=\"640\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/5bcaa189-e134-4f0b-8e2a-a9447a4d11dc.jpeg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/5bcaa189-e134-4f0b-8e2a-a9447a4d11dc.jpeg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/5bcaa189-e134-4f0b-8e2a-a9447a4d11dc.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">According to an industry-commissioned study, a quarter or more of India&#8217;s cotton cultivation area comprises genetically modified (GM) hybrids incorporating \u201cunapproved\u201d herbicide-tolerant (HT) and Bt traits. On the one hand, the findings indicate farmers&#8217; acceptance of HT technology; on the other, they raise concerns about the bypassing of the government&#8217;s biosafety assessment and regulatory approval mechanisms. This makes it important to discuss about the GM crops &#8211; the arguments in favour as well against their introduction especially in India and what should be the way forward.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 60px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 100%; text-align: center; height: 30px;\"><strong>Table of Content<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 100%; height: 30px;\"><a href=\"#h1\">What are GM crops?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/h2\">About the GM crops permitted in India and in other countries<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h3\">How India is regulating transgenic crops?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h4\">What are the arguments supporting the introduction of GM crops in India?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h5\">What are the arguments against the introduction of GM crops in India?<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h6\">What should be the Way Forward?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"h1\"><\/a>What are GM crops?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GM crops are plants that have had their DNA altered using genetic engineering techniques to introduce specific, desirable traits that do not occur naturally in the species. This process involves inserting one or more genes from a different species into the plant&#8217;s genome to confer certain advantageous traits that aren&#8217;t naturally present in the species. For <\/span>e.g.\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Bt cotton<\/strong>: Genetically modified to resist certain insect pests, particularly bollworms.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bt brinjal<\/strong>: Developed for resistance against the brinjal fruit and shoot borer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Golden Rice<\/strong>: Developed to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Unlike what plant breeders did traditionally in cross breeding by combining genes from same or closely related plant species, GM technology does not restrict trait selection. Genes from any living organism, be it plants, or animals, is used to arrive at the desired traits.<\/li>\n<li>GM crops are developed to improve crop yield, enhance nutritional value, reduce the use of chemical pesticides, and increase resistance to environmental stressors like drought or frost. However, the use of GMOs also raises concerns related to potential health risks, environmental impact, and ethical considerations. <span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"h2\"><\/a>About the GM crops permitted in India and in other countries:<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_248185\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-248185\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-248185 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Transgenic-Crops-in-India-Need-and-Challenges-%E2%80%93-Explained-pointwise.png?resize=750%2C421&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Transgenic Crops permitted around the world\" width=\"750\" height=\"421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Transgenic-Crops-in-India-Need-and-Challenges-%E2%80%93-Explained-pointwise.png?resize=1024%2C575&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Transgenic-Crops-in-India-Need-and-Challenges-%E2%80%93-Explained-pointwise.png?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Transgenic-Crops-in-India-Need-and-Challenges-%E2%80%93-Explained-pointwise.png?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Transgenic-Crops-in-India-Need-and-Challenges-%E2%80%93-Explained-pointwise.png?w=1194&amp;ssl=1 1194w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-248185\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Genetic literacy project<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GM crops in India:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bt Cotton:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> In India, the major transgenic crop that has been commercialized is Bt cotton. Bt cotton is genetically modified cotton that expresses a toxin derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which provides resistance against destructive pests such as the bollworm. Bt cotton remains the only GM crop approved for cultivation in India till date. The area under Bt. Cotton cultivation has increased from <strong>less than 1%<\/strong> in 2002-03 to almost <strong>94%<\/strong> in 2019-20.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GM mustard:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> In addition, India is also considering the commercial release of genetically modified mustard known as Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH -11). This GM mustard has genes from a soil bacterium that enhance hybridization, potentially leading to a yield increase of 25-30%. As of now, this crop has received approval from the GEAC but is yet to receive final clearance from the Ministry of Environment.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Other transgenic crops which are under developmental phases in India:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GE Banana:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) in Mohali is developing fungus-resistant varieties and exploring the fortification of bananas with iron. They are also working on increasing the amount of provitamin A in the fruit.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GE Potato:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) in Shimla has received permission to conduct research on the GE potato hybrid KJ66, derived from the wild Mexican potato, aimed at combating the late blight pathogen <strong>Phytophthora infestans<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GE Maize:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Rallis India Limited has received conditional approval from GEAC to conduct trials on GE maize, aimed at improving its resistance to the moth <strong>Spodoptera frugiperda<\/strong> and tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GE Rubber:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The Rubber Research Institute in Kottayam has been granted permission for trials of two GE rubber lines expressing an &#8216;osmotin&#8217; gene, which is expected to confer resilience to the plants under a range of adverse conditions.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Transgenic crops in other countries:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Soybean:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> In the United States, one of the first and most widespread transgenic crops is the Roundup Ready soybean. These soybeans are engineered to be resistant to glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bt Maize:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Another common transgenic crop is Bt maize (or corn), which like Bt cotton, contains a gene from the <strong>Bacillus thuringiensis<\/strong> bacterium. This allows the maize to produce a protein that is toxic to certain types of pests, notably the European corn borer.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Golden rice:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> In some parts of Asia, a genetically modified version of rice known as Golden Rice has been developed. This rice is modified to produce <strong>beta-carotene<\/strong>, a precursor of vitamin A, in the edible parts of the rice plant. This is intended to combat vitamin A deficiency, a significant public health problem in many developing countries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Sugarcane<\/strong>: A GM sugarcane variety developed by Brazil which is resistant to the sugarcane borer. It incorporates a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which enables the plant to produce a protein toxic to specific insect pests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"h3\"><\/a>How India is regulating transgenic crops?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_248186\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-248186\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-248186 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Transgenic-Crops-in-India-Need-and-Challenges.png?resize=750%2C595&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Regulation of Transgenic Crops in India\" width=\"750\" height=\"595\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Transgenic-Crops-in-India-Need-and-Challenges.png?resize=1024%2C812&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Transgenic-Crops-in-India-Need-and-Challenges.png?resize=300%2C238&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Transgenic-Crops-in-India-Need-and-Challenges.png?resize=768%2C609&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Transgenic-Crops-in-India-Need-and-Challenges.png?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-248186\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: The Hindu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">India has a well-established regulatory framework in place to control and supervise the introduction and cultivation of GM crops. This is governed by various rules, regulations, and guidelines set by different ministries and departments.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC): <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The committee reviews proposals related to the release of GM organisms and products into the environment, including experimental field trials.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Environment Protection Act:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The GEAC or people authorized by it have the power to take punitive actions under the Environment Protection Act. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Role of the <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indian-council-of-agricultural-research-icar\/\">Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)<\/a>:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The ICAR plays a crucial role in supervising the development of new GM varieties and hybrids. For e.g. the approval for GM mustard allows for the environmental release of two genetically engineered mustard varieties are under the supervision of the ICAR. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Assessment of Risks:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The regulatory framework also requires the evaluation of potential risks to human health, animal health, and biodiversity. This involves rigorous testing under laboratory and field conditions to ensure the safety and efficacy of GM crops. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Public Consultation:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> In some cases, public consultation is also part of the process before a final decision is made about the commercialization of a GM crop. This allows stakeholders, including the public, to voice their concerns and opinions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/genetic-engineering-appraisal-committee-approves-commercial-cultivation-of-genetically-modified-mustardyet-again\/\">Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee approves commercial cultivation of genetically modified mustard yet again<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"h4\"><\/a>What are the arguments supporting the introduction of GM crops in India?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Higher agricultural productivity<\/strong>: GM crops can increase agricultural productivity by reducing crop losses caused by pests and diseases. For e.g. <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Bt cotton<\/strong><\/span> provides resistance against bollworms, helping protect yields and improve production efficiency. This can contribute to greater agricultural output and food security.<\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Addressing food security:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> One of the main arguments supporting the introduction of GM crops in India is the potential to enhance food security. With India&#8217;s population continually growing, transgenic crops offer a promising solution to increase agricultural yield and meet the escalating food demand. Moreover, crops can even be engineered to be<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong> more nutritious<\/strong><\/span>, providing critical vitamins to populations that struggle to get specific nutrients needed for healthy living. Thus, GM crops can be used to address the problem of <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Hidden Hunger<\/strong><\/span> (Nutritional deficiency).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Improved crop characteristics:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> GM crops can be engineered to have desired traits such as drought resistance, pest resistance, and improved nutritional content. These modifications can lead to healthier, more resilient crops that are better suited to varying climatic conditions and can contribute to higher yields. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Higher farmers&#8217; income:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Transgenic crops can provide economic advantages to farmers. The use of crops genetically engineered to resist pests, for instance, can reduce the need for expensive pesticides. The GEAC&#8217;s recent approval of GM mustard is a prime example of this, with the potential to boost yield and subsequently increase farmers&#8217; income. For e.g. <span style=\"color: #000000;\">Brinjal growers <\/span>in Haryana have rooted for <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Bt brinjal<\/strong><\/span> as it reduces the cost of production by cutting down on the use of pesticides.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Curbing Edible Oil Imports &amp; Agricultural Trade Deficit<\/strong>: India imports nearly 60% of its edible oil requirements (spending over $15-20 billion annually), primarily palm, soybean, and sunflower oil. <span class=\"citation-256\">Proponents point to indigenous varieties like <\/span><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b data-path-to-node=\"2,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"46\"><span class=\"citation-256\">DMH-11 (GM Mustard)<\/span><\/b><\/span><span class=\"citation-256 citation-end-256\">, which uses a barnase\/barstar gene system to create hybrids that yield 25-30% more seed than traditional mustard.<\/span> Higher yields would significantly boost domestic oilseed production and reduce reliance on imports.<\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Potential environmental benefits:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> By reducing the need for chemical pesticides and herbicides, transgenic crops may also help decrease environmental pollution. Furthermore, certain GM crops may require less water, contributing to more sustainable water use. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Climate change adaptation<\/strong>: Indian agriculture is vulnerable to climate volatility, monsoon delays, and rising temperatures. GM technology allows scientists to engineer crops resistant to abiotic stresses such as severe drought, salinity, flooding, and extreme heat such as <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>climate-resilient<\/strong><\/span> <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>GM rubber<\/strong><\/span> trials or <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>drought-tolerant maize<\/strong><\/span>.<\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Enhanced crop diversity:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Transgenic technology can facilitate the development of new crop varieties, enhancing agricultural biodiversity. This could offer farmers a greater choice of crops to cultivate, potentially leading to more diverse farming systems.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Global competitiveness<\/strong>: GM crops can improve productivity, reduce pest-related losses and enhance crop quality, helping Indian agricultural products remain competitive in international markets. They can also strengthen India&#8217;s position in the global agricultural biotechnology sector.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"h5\"><\/a>What are the arguments against the introduction of GM crops in India?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Health concerns:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Some groups argue that the consumption of genetically modified crops could potentially lead to health issues. There are concerns about allergenicity, antibiotic resistance, and the overall safety of consuming foods derived from GMOs. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Impact on biodiversity:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Critics also argue that the introduction of transgenic crops could negatively impact biodiversity. There are concerns that the proliferation of GM crops could lead to the genetic contamination of wild relatives of the modified crops. The increased use of herbicide-resistant crops could harm non-target organisms and beneficial insects. GM technology could also allow the transfer of genes from one crop to another, creating \u201c<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>super weeds<\/strong><\/span>\u201d, which might be immune to common control methods.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>High cultivation costs<\/strong>: GM seeds may be expensive due to technology fees and limited availability from approved suppliers. Additional costs associated with seed replacement and crop management may increase farmers\u2019 financial burden.<\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Potential socio-economic implications:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> There are also socio-economic considerations. For instance, small farmers might face difficulties if they cannot afford the often higher-priced GM seeds, potentially exacerbating economic inequalities in rural communities. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Dependence on multinational companies (MNCs):<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Many GM seeds are patented by multinational corporations. Farmers using these seeds would be dependent on these companies for their supply, potentially leading to monopolistic practices and loss of control over their own agricultural practices. From an economic standpoint, this poses a risk to the long-term food security by creating dependence on a single or limited number of suppliers. If the supplier company failed, then the crop it provides would not be available to the people who depend on that crop.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b data-path-to-node=\"2,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Secondary Pest Vulnerability:<\/b> Opponents highlight the long-term track record of <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><b data-path-to-node=\"2,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"80\">Bt Cotton<\/b><\/span> in India. Over time, pests like the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Pink Bollworm<\/strong><\/span> evolved resistance to the Bt toxin, forcing farmers to buy more expensive insecticides and higher-dose seed traits, contributing to rising agricultural debt.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Questionable outcomes:<\/strong> Various claims around stress tolerance, nutrition and yields have turned out to be false, including in India with its Bt cotton experience. Cotton yield has stagnated around 460 kgs per hectare in the recent past, despite most cotton being GM. The most impressive yield growth was achieved between 2000 and 2006 (from 278 kg to 521 kg\/ ha) when GM cotton adoption was marginal. There has been no such yield increase thereafter.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Increased use of chemicals: <\/strong>On the other hand, increased illegal use of <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>glyphosate<\/strong> <\/span>is bringing its own problems. Though GM Cotton was supposed to be more resistant to pests, chemical usage (including pesticides) in India\u2019s cotton cultivation has actually increased. For e.g. cotton farmers in North India often face the challenge of <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>pink bollworm infestation<\/strong><\/span> &amp; <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>white fly attack<\/strong><\/span>. It is noteworthy that 24 countries that are ahead of India in terms of cotton yields do not grow GM cotton.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Impact on exports<\/strong>: Countries with strict regulations on GM foods may impose import restrictions or labelling requirements on genetically modified agricultural products. This could reduce market access for Indian farmers and exporters, particularly in markets where non-GM products command a premium.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Weaknesses in regulatory capacity<\/strong>: India&#8217;s limited capacity for independent biosafety testing, post-release monitoring and effective enforcement raises concerns about the safe management of GM crops. Delays in regulatory decisions and concerns over transparency may also undermine public trust in the approval process.<\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ethical and cultural concerns:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The genetic modification of crops raises ethical questions like human intervention in nature, potential damage to environment, negative impact on traditional farming practices, excessive corporate dominance, potential harm to human health etc. These can be especially potent in countries like India with rich cultural and religious traditions tied to natural processes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 class=\"blue-h2-box\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a id=\"h6\"><\/a>What should be the Way Forward?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Enhanced research and development:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> To address concerns related to transgenic crops, further research and development should be undertaken. This should focus on comprehensive risk assessment, long-term impact studies, and the development of techniques to prevent cross-contamination.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rigorous regulatory framework:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The regulatory framework for the approval and monitoring of transgenic crops in India needs to be rigorous. This can help ensure that only those GM crops that are safe for human health and the environment are permitted. Govt should again take up the proposed<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong> Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill<\/strong><\/span> to ensure a sturdy regulatory architecture in India. This encourages entry of competitors that could check monopolistic conditions in the GMO market.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Capacity building in biotechnology:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> India needs to enhance its capacity in the field of biotechnology. This involves training scientists in advanced techniques, and creating world-class laboratories that can undertake cutting-edge research in this field.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Public awareness and engagement:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Transparent, evidence-based information on GM crops should be shared with the public to address concerns and misconceptions. This could involve engaging with communities through public consultations before the introduction of GM crops.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Protecting farmers&#8217; interests:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Policies should be in place to protect farmers from potential exploitation by multinational companies selling GM seeds. This includes ensuring farmers have access to a variety of seeds, including non-GM options.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Monitoring environmental impact:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> After the introduction, transgenic crops should be continuously monitored to assess their impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. In particular, the potential for gene flow to non-target species should be rigorously evaluated. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Promote alternative approaches<\/strong>: India should strengthen conventional breeding, marker-assisted selection, integrated pest management (IPM) and agroecological practices to improve crop productivity and resilience. These approaches can complement biotechnology while reducing chemical pesticide use and conserving agricultural biodiversity.<\/li>\n<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">International collaboration:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> India can benefit from international collaboration in this field, learning from the experiences of other countries that have successfully adopted transgenic crops, and working together to address shared challenges.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">CONCLUSION<\/span>: <\/strong>By resisting genetic engineering technologies, India risks falling behind the rest of the world where scientists are deploying gene editing tools to improve yields, disease resistance and shelf life of crops. However, any decision on introduction of GM technologies must be taken on the basis of scientific evidence. A participatory approach should be adopted in order to bring together all stakeholders to develop regulatory protocols. This would ensure trust in the entire process.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Sources<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/editorials\/india-unapproved-gm-cotton-seeds-10918624\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Express<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Genetically_modified_crops\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wikipedia\u00a0<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS Paper 3: Science and Technology: Awareness in the field of biotechnology, Agriculture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to an industry-commissioned study, a quarter or more of India&#8217;s cotton cultivation area comprises genetically modified (GM) hybrids incorporating \u201cunapproved\u201d herbicide-tolerant (HT) and Bt traits. On the one hand, the findings indicate farmers&#8217; acceptance of HT technology; on the other, they raise concerns about the bypassing of the government&#8217;s biosafety assessment and regulatory approval&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/gm-crops-in-india-arguments-in-favour-against-explained-pointwise\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">GM Crops in India &#8211; Arguments in Favour &#038; Against &#8211; Explained Pointwise<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10391,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[130],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-373771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-7-pm","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/373771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10391"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=373771"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/373771\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=373771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=373771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=373771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}