The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in India has been pondering over a proposal to consider a new gene editing technique for almost two years. Now, with advancements in this particular field of science, the focus has shifted towards implementing newer technologies such as Site Directed Nuclease (SDN) 1 and 2 for gene editing.
Understanding Gene Editing
Gene editing, also known as genome editing, involves a group of technologies that provide scientists with the power to modify an organism’s DNA. This process lets genetic material be added, extracted, or altered at specific parts in the genome.
Moving Towards Newer Technologies
The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) is adopting advanced technologies such as SDN 1 and 2. The aim of this new technique is to introduce precision and efficiency into the breeding process. This is achieved by using gene editing tools like CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats), which earned its creators the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2020.
SDN Genome Editing Explained
SDN genome editing involves the utilization of varied DNA-cutting enzymes (nucleases). These are directed to slice the DNA at a predetermined location by an array of different DNA binding systems. Post the cut, the cell’s intrinsic DNA repair mechanism identifies the break and mends the damage through natural pathways present in cells. Gene editing tools are used to directly improve or change the plant’s inherent genes.
Current Applications in India
A research alliance under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), including the IARI, employs these techniques to create rice strains that can withstand drought, salinity, and are high-yielding. It’s anticipated that these could be prepared for commercial farming within three years. Previously, the IARI experimented on golden rice, a classic GM variety comprising genes from various organisms inserted into the rice plant. However, trials were discontinued over five years ago due to agronomical issues.
The Importance of New Techniques
These techniques are safe as they only tweak a gene already present in the plant, eliminating the need to introduce an external gene. This also reduces the safety testing required for proteins from outside organisms. The process is also faster and significantly more accurate than natural mutation or conventional breeding methods, which involve trial and error and multiple breeding cycles. This could potentially pave the way for a new Green Revolution.
Global Status of New Techniques
Countries including the U.S, Canada, Australia, and Japan have approved the SDN 1 and 2 technologies, distinguishing them from GMs. Hence, such rice variants can be exported without any complications. The European Food Safety Authority has also postulated that these technologies do not require the same level of safety assessment as conventional gene mutation, although the European Union hasn’t yet accepted this recommendation.
Related Laws in India
Several rules, guidelines, and policies exist in India to regulate genetically modified organisms. These are based on the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989” notified under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. There’s also the National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research involving human participants, 2017, by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Biomedical and Health Research Regulation Bill. But none of these explicitly mention gene editing.
About the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
The GEAC operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Its responsibilities include the appraisal of activities involving large-scale utilization of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants from an environmental perspective. It appraises proposals related to the release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment, including experimental field trials. The committee is led by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
