The Hindu: Published on 15th May 2025:
Why in News?
India recently announced a world-first achievement: the successful development of rice varieties using genome editing technologies. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made this announcement, highlighting that these genome-edited seeds will be made available to farmers within six months, subject to approvals. This move is being viewed as a leap forward in agricultural biotechnology.
How Did India Develop Genome-Edited Rice?
Scientists under the guidance of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) used genome editing techniques called Site-Directed Nuclease 1 (SDN-1) and Site-Directed Nuclease 2 (SDN-2). These methods involve editing the rice genome without inserting foreign DNA. In SDN-1, the cell automatically repairs a small cut made by scientists. In SDN-2, scientists guide the cell to make specific edits.
This is the first time these techniques have been used to develop rice varieties, though they’ve been previously used in other crops like tomatoes and even in a fish species in Japan. Thus, India is being credited as the first country to create genome-edited rice.
What Are the New Rice Varieties?
Two varieties have been developed:
DRR Dhan 100 (also called Kamala): This was developed from the widely used Samba Mahsuri rice. It is drought-tolerant, matures 20 days earlier, uses nitrogen efficiently, and gives a higher yield—about 5.37 tonnes per hectare compared to its parent’s 4.5 tonnes.
Pusa DST Rice 1: Developed from the MTU 1010 variety, this rice shows higher yields under saline and alkaline soil conditions. In coastal salinity stress environments, it performed significantly better, with up to 30% yield advantage over its parent.
These varieties are considered climate-resilient, suitable for future environmental challenges like water scarcity and soil degradation.
Are These Genetically Modified Crops?
No. According to the scientists involved, these rice varieties are not genetically modified (GM) because they do not contain foreign DNA. Only SDN-3 involves inserting genes from outside and qualifies as genetic modification. In contrast, the rice developed here involves changes to native genes only.
Many countries, including India, do not regulate SDN-1 and SDN-2 products as GM crops. These new rice varieties, therefore, may not face the same regulatory hurdles as traditional GM crops.
Is India the First to Use This Technology for Rice?
Yes. While genome editing has been used globally for other crops and species, India is the first country to develop rice using SDN-1 and SDN-2 genome editing technologies. This represents a global milestone in rice biotechnology.
What Are the Unique Characteristics of the Varieties?
Kamala matures earlier, saves water and fertilizer, and emits less methane, making it both eco-friendly and cost-effective for farmers. Pusa DST Rice 1 excels in saline soil conditions common in many coastal and inland parts of India. Both varieties are high-yielding and resilient, addressing climate and soil stress challenges.
What Are the Controversies and Objections?
The announcement has not been without controversy:
Venugopal Badaravada, a farmers’ representative on ICAR’s governing body, criticized the move as premature and lacking transparency. He was later expelled from the governing body, raising concerns about silencing dissent.
Activist groups, such as the Coalition for a GM-Free India, argue that genome editing is not as safe or precise as portrayed. They say there are studies showing unintended effects of gene editing. The group also criticizes the de-regulation of SDN-1 and SDN-2 as potentially illegal.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) concerns have been raised. Critics argue that gene-editing tools are patented, which could compromise farmers’ seed sovereignty. They worry that the Indian farming community may become dependent on private companies that own editing technologies.
Regulatory and Ethical Considerations
The rice varieties were tested under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Rice in 2023 and 2024. However, full commercial release depends on further regulatory approvals. Ethical concerns revolve around lack of public consultation, transparency, and the implications for farmer independence.
What Is the Likely Impact?
If adopted responsibly, these rice varieties can enhance food security, reduce farming costs, and help adapt to climate change. However, without proper regulations and safeguards, the controversy over seed ownership, biosafety, and farmer rights may intensify.
Conclusion:
India’s genome-edited rice development is a technological breakthrough, but it also raises important scientific, ethical, and policy questions. While the achievement is globally significant, it will be crucial for the government to ensure transparency, legal clarity, and farmer protection before large-scale deployment.
