Sufficient basis for GM mustard to tolerate herbicide application in farmers&#39; fields

Sufficient basis for GM mustard to tolerate herbicide application in farmers' fields

Statement floated by Dr Soma Sundar Marla, Former Principal Scientist, Crop Bioinformatics & Genomics, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, on bar gene in GM mustard

***

We introduce ourselves as scientists, having expertise in the various advanced disciplines of biology, plant breeding and environmental science and who have been following the arguments unfolding in the Hon’ble Supreme Court on the matter of Genetically Modified Mustard. There, the question has come up as to whether or not GM mustard hybrid DMH-11 is an herbicide tolerant crop. In Bar-Barnase-Barstar system, the Bar gene, which confers tolerance to herbicide Phosphinothricin (also known as Glufosinate) is used in both the parents with specific purpose.

In female parent it is used for maintenance of a female pure line as well as to screen in required female plants for hybrid seed production of DMH-11; while in male parent it is used to ease hybrid seed production. Technically, it is the presence of the gene construct with Bar gene which defines whether a crop is Herbicide Tolerant (HT) or not. Given that both parents of DMH-11 carry gene constructs containing Bar, which confers herbicide tolerance towards glufosinate, any offspring from such parents including DMH-11 shall carry the HT trait.
Therefore not only parental lines, but DMH-11 is also tolerant to herbicide without any doubt. We would like to emphasise that, the presence of the Bar gene in DMH-11 from both the parents as described, is sufficient for the crop to tolerate herbicide application in farmers' fields. It would be technically unsound to preclude the possibility that it will be grown with herbicide application as an herbicide tolerant (HT) crop by Indian farmers. We believe that a correct understanding of the scientific facts would help to inform the public and policy makers so as to guide decision-making.
----
Other Signatories:
1. Dr. A.R. Pathak, Former Rice Breeder; Former VC, Navasari Agril. Uni.; Former VC, Junagadh Agril. Uni.; Former Director of Research, Anand Agril. Uni.
2. Dr Dhiraj Singh, Former Director, Directorate of Research on Mustard and Rapeseed (DRMR), Bharatpur
3. Dr Sharad Pawar, Former Scientist, Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, Former Consultant, Dhara Mustard Hybrid Project, RTM University, Nagpur.
4. Dr. Aniket Aga, Asso. Prof. Environmental Studies, Ashoka University, New Delhi
5. Dr. Satyaprasad, Former Researcher in Molecular Plant Pathology, Osmania University, Hyderabad
6. Dr K. B. Wanjari, Former Pulse Breeder, Associate Dean, PDVK, Akola
7. Dr. B.N. Reddy, Former Head, Dept. of Botany, Osmania University, Hyderabad

Comments

70,000 migrants, sold on Canadian dream, face uncertain future: Canada reinvents the xenophobic wheel

By Saurav Sarkar* Bikram Singh is running out of time on his post-study work visa in Canada. Singh is one of about 70,000 migrants who were sold on the Canadian dream of eventually making the country their home but now face an uncertain future with their work permits set to expire by December 2024. They came from places like India, China, and the Philippines, and sold their land and belongings in their home countries, took out loans, or made other enormous commitments to get themselves to Canada.

Kerala government data implicates the Covid vaccines for excess deaths

By Bhaskaran Raman* On 03 Dec 2024, Mr Unnikrishnan of the Indian Express had written an article titled: “Kerala govt data busts vaccine death myth; no rise in mortality post-Covid”. It claims “no significant change in the death rate in the 35-44 age group between 2019 and 2023”. However, the claim is obviously wrong, even to a casual observer, as per the same data which the article presents, as explained below.

PM-JUGA: Support to states and gram sabhas for the FRA implementation and preparation and execution of CFR management plan

By Dr. Manohar Chauhan* (Over the period, under 275(1), Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided fund to the states for FRA implementation. Besides, some states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra allocated special fund for FRA implementation. Now PM-JUDA under “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan(DAJGUA) lunched by Prime Minister on 2nd October 2024 will not only be the major source of funding from MoTA to the States/UTs, but also will be the major support to the Gram sabha for the preparation and execution of CFR management Plan).

Defeat of martial law: Has the decisive moment for change come in South Korea?

By Steven Lee Late at night on December 3, soldiers stormed into South Korea’s National Assembly in armored vehicles and combat helicopters. Assembly staff desperately blocked their assault with fire extinguishers and barricades. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol had just declared martial law to “ eliminate ‘anti-state’ forces .”

Operation Kagar represents Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism: Resistance continues

By Harsh Thakor Operation Kagar represents the Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism, which claims to embody the struggles and aspirations of Adivasis. Criminalized by the state, the Maoists have been portrayed as a threat, with Operation Kagar deploying strategies that jeopardize their activities. This operation weaves together economic, cultural, and political motives, allegedly with drone attacks on Adivasi homes.

How Amit Shah's statement on Ambedkar reflects frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion, empowerment

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remains the liberator and emancipator of India’s oppressed communities. However, attempts to box him between two Brahmanical political parties betray a superficial and self-serving understanding of his legacy. The statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha was highly objectionable, reflecting the frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion and empowerment.

Balod tech fest tests students’ interest in innovative ideas in the fields of science, engineering, start-ups

By Our Representative A techno fest scheduled on December 20 and 21 in Balod district of Chhattisgarh will test the innovative ideas of school students in the fields of science, engineering and start-ups. For this two-day fest organised at Maheswari Bhawan of the district, a total of 824 models made by students were initially registered. Out of those, a selection committee chose 200 models from several schools spread over five blocks of Balod. These will be on display on these two days from 10am to 4.30pm. Out of many ideas, one of the most interesting models is a smart glove which can be used by children with impairments and disabilities. For those who cannot speak at all or have speech difficulty, they can ask for help from caregivers by pressing their fingers on the glove after wearing it. This will attract attention.

Local businessman subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse: Demand for accountability, justice

By Kirity Roy* On October 9, 2024, a disturbing incident of harassment and abuse took place in the Swarupnagar Block of North 24 Parganas district, involving a local businessman, Hasanur Gazi, who was subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse, and religious discrimination by a Border Security Force (BSF) constable. The incident, which occurred at the Hakimpur Checkpost, has raised serious concerns about the safety and dignity of citizens living in border areas, especially those belonging to religious minorities.

Affable but arrogant, embodying contradictions, Raj Kapoor's legacy will endure as long as Bollywood exists

By Harsh Thakor* December 14 marks the birth centenary of Raj Kapoor, a filmmaker and visionary who revolutionized Bollywood, elevating it to new heights by exploring uncharted emotional and social territories. Kapoor wasn’t just a filmmaker; he was a storyteller who touched the souls of the masses and reflected the pulse of post-partition India with unparalleled depth. His films acted as a unifying force in a divided nation, transcending social and cultural boundaries.

Suspicious death of Dalit laborer in BSF custody: A call for justice

By Kirity Roy* The tragic and suspicious death of Mr. Babai Barui, a Dalit daily wage laborer from North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, has raised serious concerns regarding custodial violence and the violation of fundamental rights. Mr. Barui, son of Sukharanjan Barui, resided in Pallishree Sangsad, Bongaon, and was arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF) on November 9, 2024, near the Angrail border on allegations of smuggling. The very next day, he was found dead under mysterious circumstances, with visible injuries that point toward possible custodial violence.

Search This Blog