DAWN OF GM CROPS ENSURING FOOD SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GAINS
Since the first genetically modified ( GM ) crops for sale to consumers were sown in the 1990s , farmers across the world have seen their incomes rising due to higher farm productivity and efficiency gains .
First adopted in the developed world , in the last few years there has been a consistent increase in the number of hectares being planted with GM crops in developing countries as well .
According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications ( ISAAA ), 53 % or 103.1 million hectares ( MH ) of the total global GM crop area of 191.7 MH , was in developing countries in 2018 . In 2016 , direct global farm income benefit was $ 18.2 billion . Over the period of 21 years between 1996 to 2016 , farm incomes have increased by $ 186.1 billion .
Genetically modified crops are plants with their DNA altered to create desired traits , typically by adding one gene from a close wild relative . The genes confer beneficial traits such as pest resistance , ability to grow in unfavorable or extreme conditions , in
some cases can have increased nutrient levels also . The three most common traits developed in GMO crops are : resistance to insect damage , tolerance to herbicides and , resistance to plant viruses .
GM crops are safe to grow and consume . This technology is the one of the most regulated technologies in the world . Every review and assessment by the government regulators across the world has confirmed the safety of the GM crops . Several international organizations such as the FAO , WHO and OECD have repeatedly confirmed the safety of the biotech crops and concluded that foods derived from biotechnology is as safe and nutritious as foods derived from other methods such as conventional and organic . Every country tests the safety of these crops in its local condition before providing commercial approval . Therefore , there is multiple year data in multiple countries that confirm the safety of these crops . People around the world have been consuming products of biotech crops for more than 20 years and there is not even a single verified case of any concern on human health .
Similarly , the Indian regulatory system , which is one of the most stringent regulatory systems in the world , requires the developers to conduct extensive food , feed and environmental safety studies before giving any regulatory approval . The Indian regulatory agency , Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee ( GEAC ) consists of experts from all relevant organizations to review the biosafety of these crops . It is to be noted that all relevant government departments and ministries such as Science and Technology , Environment and Forests , Agriculture , Health and Family Welfare and independent experts are
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BioVoiceNews | October 2022