India Unveils First Genome-Edited Rice Varieties

India Unveils First Genome-Edited Rice Varieties

Why in the News ?

India has become the first country to develop rice varieties using genome editing technology, marking a significant milestone in agricultural innovation. These rice types offer climate resilience, higher yields, and stress tolerance, though concerns remain over regulation, transparency, and IPR.

About the New Genome-Edited Rice Varieties and Benefits:

• ICAR developed two rice varieties: DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1.
• Kamala, derived from Samba Mahsuri, offers 20 days early maturity, drought tolerance, higher nitrogen efficiency, and 37 t/ha yield.
• Pusa DST Rice 1, from MTU1010, shows a 4% yield gain under coastal salinity and performs better under alkalinity and inland salinity conditions.

Technology and GM Crop Clarification

• Uses Site-Directed Nuclease (SDN-1 and SDN-2) techniques—no foreign genes
• Unlike SDN-3, this method doesn’t create GM crops, allowing natural precision mutations.
• These varieties have been field-tested under the All India Coordinated Research Project in 2023–24 and received global scientific recognition.
• Genome editing has earlier been used in tomatoes, soybean, and fish

Controversies and Objections Raised

• Farmers’ representative Venugopal Badaravada criticized the move as premature and lacking field validation; he was later expelled by ICAR.
• GM-Free India Coalition argued against deregulation, citing concerns about IPR, seed sovereignty, and biotech lobbying.
• Activists demand transparency in regulatory approvals and IPR disclosures for released varieties.