India’s recent release of its first two genome-edited rice varieties, DRR Rice 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1, has ignited a fierce controversy. Developed using CRISPR-Cas9 Site-Directed Nuclease 1 (SDN-1) technology, these varieties promise significant benefits, including increased yields and reduced methane emissions. However, a coalition of scientists, farmers’ representatives, and activists, led by the Coalition for a GM-Free India, argues the government has acted recklessly, bypassing critical safety protocols.
A primary concern centers on the technology itself. While promoted as “precise,” critics like biotechnology scientist Dr. Krithika Yegna argue that SDN-1 can cause “off-target” mutations, creating unforeseen changes to the plant’s genetic makeup. These alterations could produce new, potentially harmful proteins, posing unknown risks to public health and the environment. Researcher Arjun Banerjee cites studies documenting these off-target effects, which critics argue make these varieties as risky as traditional genetically modified (GM) crops. They demand rigorous, long-term testing, a step they claim was skipped in the hurried release.
The deregulation of SDN-1 and SDN-2 techniques is another major point of contention. The government’s decision to exempt these methods from the stringent oversight of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is labeled “outright illegal” by the Coalition for a GM-Free India. This move effectively bypasses the very safety regulations designed to protect the public.
Furthermore, opponents raise concerns about intellectual property rights (IPR). The Coalition highlights that gene-editing technologies are often patented by large multinational corporations, warning that this could trap Indian farmers in a cycle of dependency. They argue that this corporate control over seeds, a traditionally communal resource in India, threatens the nation’s food sovereignty.
Finally, critics question the necessity of these new varieties, pointing to the existence of equally high-yield, stress-tolerant rice strains developed through safer, conventional breeding methods. They advocate for an immediate moratorium, urging for a more cautious, transparent approach to safeguard India’s agricultural future.
