Context: A two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court issued a split verdict on the "environmental release" of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard.

GM Mustard

• About: It is an indigenously developed transgenic mustard, resulting from a cross between Indian mustard variety ‘Varuna’ and East European ‘Early Heera-2’ mustard.
• Approval: On September 15, 2015, the Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) at Delhi University sought the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) approval for the environmental release of DMH-11, a genetically engineered hybrid mustard.
• Self-Pollination: Mustard flowers are largely self-pollinating, containing both male (stamen) and female (pistil) reproductive organs.
• Genetic Modifications: The GM mustard, DMH-11, incorporates two alien genes: 'barnase,' which makes the plant male-sterile, and 'barstar,' which counters the action of 'barnase' to produce high-yield variants.
• Alien Genes Used: DMH-11 contains two alien genes (‘barnase’ and ‘barstar’) from the soil bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, which are essential for creating high-yielding commercial mustard hybrids.
• Yield Improvement: DMH-11 has shown approximately 28% higher yield compared to the national check and 37% more than zonal checks, with its use approved by the GEAC.

  Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)

  • About: It is responsible for appraisal of activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle. 
  • Purpose:  GEAC's primary purpose is to evaluate and assess the potential environmental impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and ensure their safe release into the environment.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change.