NBPGR signed an MoA for transfer of DNA-based GMO Screening Technologies

Dhirendra Kumar

News Curator cum Moderator

Indian Botanists

ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with M/s DSS Imagetech Private Limited, Delhi, facilitated by Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn) on 19^th August, 2015 for transfer of five DNA-based GMO screening technologies:

1. Hexaplex PCR targeting six marker genes(aadA, bar, hpt, nptII, pat and uidA)
2. Duplex TaqMan Real-time PCR targeting P-35S and T-nos
3. Visual Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)-based technology targeting eight transgenic elements (P-35S, T-nos, aadA, nptII, uidA, cry1Ac, cry2Ab, cp4-epsps)
4. Real-time LAMP-based technology targeting eight transgenic elements (P-35S, T-nos, aadA, nptII, uidA, cry1Ac, cry2Ab, cp4-epsps)
5. TaqMan Real-time PCR-based multi-target system covering 47 targets for screening

Photo courtesy: www.nbpgr.ernet.in

How and why DNA based GMO screening technologies are important?

Since decades, controversies are going round the globe with regard to commercialization of GMO. Many countries have approved few crops for commercial production while few others are in process. India has approved experimental field trials for some selected crops. Even though Indian government is committed to promote GM crops,   debate exists on why India does not need GM technology and genetically modified Crops?

Many countries have approved few crops for commercial production while many are in process . Further each nation have their own labelling legislation and trade requirement.

A report, prepared for the department of agriculture, fishries and forestry, government of Australia, summarizes that,

"DNA detection methods are very sensitive, although careful sample preparation is required to extract DNA free from assay inhibition that are naturally present in many food products."

" By varying the DNA sequence, it can be used for general screening to a construct or event specific such as to achieve relative quantification required for compliance with labelling legislation and export of raw produce."

What NBPGR says?

 

NBPGR informed that, these technologies provide efficient GMO screening tools to check the GM status of a sample irrespective of GM crop/trait, in a rapid/cost-efficient way. Visual and real-time LAMP technologies, when combined with fast DNA extraction method, would facilitate on-site GMO screening in farmers fields and at ports of entry.

The commercialization of these technologies in the form of user-friendly kits would help in building the confidence of consumers, assisting in post-release monitoring of GM crops and solving legal disputes, if arise. 

Input References

http://www.nbpgr.ernet.in/News_Details/aid/62.aspx

http://www.daff.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/ag-food/biotech/AGAL_report.pdf

Why India does not need GM Technology and Genetically Modified Crops?

Tweet

In early June, Intelligence Bureau (IB), an intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India submitted a report to Prime Minister Office and other Government agency with a subject captioned, 'concerted efforts by select foreign funded NGOs to take down India development projects'. Though the report is marked as 'secret' but it was leaked to media. IB has identified at least six developmental sectors (viz. Nuclear Power, Coal Fired Powered Project, Genetically Modified Organisms, Mega Industrial Project, Hydel projects, Extractive Industries) which have been affected by the agitation of certain NGOs.

With regard to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), IB reports that anti GMO activities in India are led by five Indian activists and six NGOs.

Read : Anti GMO Activists and NGOs in India Under the Intelligence Bureau Lens and Govt Scanner

After the availability of IB report in public domain, anti GMO activists and NGOs responded to it and clarified their stand through press release and/or through social medias. 'Indian Botanists' tried to extract the answer from their response as, 'Why India does not need GM Technology and Genetically Modified Crops?' Here are the excerpts.

Anti GMO Activists and NGOs in India Under the Intelligence Bureau Lens and Govt Scanner

Tweet

Intelligence Bureau (IB), an intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India in a report dated 3rd June, 2014 has warned that a significant number of NGOs including anti genetically modified organism (GMO) activists and NGOs funded by foreign countries are stalling Indian Development Projects.

The report has mentioned five activists and six NGOs running anti GMO campaign. It says that these NGOs and activists are stalling mega industrial projects like POSCO and Vedanta.

Indian Government Committed to Promote GM Crops

Tweet

Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh while inaugurating 101th Indian Science Congress in Jammu said Government must focus on creating new opportunities for our bright and socially conscious scientists. To ensure food security and to improve land and water productivity, we have to launch a national drive for an ever-green revolution. This will test the ingenuity of our agricultural scientists. Climate-resilient agriculture and modern bio-technological tools hold great promise. Use of bio-technology has great potential to improve yields. The Prime Minister added that while safety must be ensured, we should not succumb to unscientific prejudices against Bt. crops. He said our government remains committed to promoting the use of these new technologies for agricultural development. He urged scientific community to increase communication and engagement with society at large in explaining socially productive applications of technology alternatives and for improving the productivity of small and medium enterprises.

Status of Field Trials for Genetically Modified Plants in India

Tweet

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in India has approved experimental field trials for the purpose of generating biosafety data in respect of GM crops such as cotton, rice, castor, wheat, maize, tomato, groundnut, potato, sorghum, okra, brinjal, mustard, watermelon, papaya, sugarcane, rubber, banana, pigeon pea, Artemisia annua L. and chickpea. This was stated by Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on thursday 22nd August 2013.