Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium; Institute of Plant Biotechnology Outreach, VIB/Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
Plant Biotechnol J. 2014 Feb;12(2):135-46. doi: 10.1111/pbi.12155.
The introduction of semi-dwarfing, high-yielding and nutrients-responsive crop varieties in the 1960s and 1970s alleviated the suffering of low crop yield, food shortages and epidemics of famine in India and other parts of the Asian continent. Two semi-dwarfing genes, Rht in wheat and Sd-1 in rice heralded the green revolution for which Dr. Norman Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. In contrast, the revolutionary new genetics of crop improvement shamble over formidable obstacles of regulatory delays, political interferences and public misconceptions. India benefited immensely from the green revolution and is now grappling to deal with the nuances of GM crops. The development of GM mustard discontinued prematurely in 2001 and insect-resistant Bt cotton varieties were successfully approved for commercial cultivation in 2002 in an evolving nature of regulatory system. However, the moratorium on Bt brinjal by MOEF in 2010 meant a considerable detour from an objective, science-based, rigorous institutional process of regulatory approval to a more subjective, nonscience-driven, political decision-making process. This study examines what ails the regulatory system of GM crops in India and the steps that led to the regulatory logjam. Responding to the growing challenges and impediments of existing biosafety regulation, it suggests options that are critical for GM crops to take roots for a multiplier harvest.
20 世纪 60 年代和 70 年代，半矮秆、高产和养分响应作物品种的引入缓解了印度和亚洲其他地区作物产量低、粮食短缺和饥荒流行的困境。两个半矮秆基因，小麦中的 Rht 和水稻中的 Sd-1，预示着诺曼·博洛格博士于 1970 年获得诺贝尔和平奖的绿色革命。相比之下，作物改良的革命性新遗传学在监管延迟、政治干预和公众误解等巨大障碍面前步履蹒跚。印度从绿色革命中受益匪浅，现在正努力应对转基因作物的细微差别。GM 芥菜的开发在 2001 年过早停止，抗虫 Bt 棉花品种在监管系统的不断发展下于 2002 年成功获得商业种植批准。然而，环境部在 2010 年对 Bt 茄子的暂停意味着，监管批准的客观、基于科学、严格的机构程序发生了重大偏离，转向了更加主观、非科学驱动、政治决策过程。本研究考察了印度转基因作物监管系统存在的问题以及导致监管僵局的步骤。针对现有生物安全监管面临的日益严峻的挑战和障碍，本研究提出了一些关键选项，对于转基因作物的生根和丰收至关重要。
