In a far-reaching move, India's central government has issued for the first time an order exempting certain types of genetically modified crops from strict regulations applicable to genetically modified crops (GM or GM), thus giving a major boost to their research and development and marketing.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests, in an order issued at the end of the month exempted genetically edited plants using the SDN1 and SDN2 strategy (cutting or editing a gene -without insertion- with results that do not differ from those that could have been obtained by traditional crossing or natural mutation) from Rules 7-11 of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) for manufacturing,  use or import or export and storage of dangerous microorganisms or genetically modified organisms.

" The notification would pave the way for the government to approve and notify guidelines on plants edited by outstanding genes from early 2020," said Bhagirath Choudhary, founding director of the South Asian Biotechnology Center (SABC). In the recent past, many countries have developed or approved the commercial cultivation of vegetables, fruits, oilseeds and cereals developed through genome editing, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA-rich tomato (in Japan) which reduces the risk of hypertension, canola and soy with high oleic acid content, mushrooms that do not oxidize when cutting, etc.

Recently, the House of Lords in England and the government of China also approved guidelines for genome editing that will stimulate research and development of high-yield, more nutritious and climate-resistant crops. "The current warning exempting some categories of plants edited by the genome from complicated regulations will encourage creators and researchers harness the power of genome editing for the well-being of the farming community," said Choudhury of SBAC.

Source: Agrolink