This slides gives information about GMO applications in food and agriculture, environmental release of GMO’s, risk assessment, risk management and communication.

1. GMO applications in food and
agriculture, environmental
release of GMO’s, risk
assessment, risk management
and communication.

2. APPLICATIONS OF GMO’S IN FOOD:
Pest Resistance: GMO crops can be engineered to express proteins that are toxic to certain
pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. For example, genetically modified Bt
(Bacillus thuringiensis) crops produce a protein toxic to specific insect pests, protecting the
plants without harming beneficial insects.
Disease Resistance: Genetic modification can confer resistance to various diseases that
affect crops, including viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases. This helps to protect the plants
from infections and reduces crop losses.
Increased Crop Yield: GMOs have been developed to increase crop yields by improving
traits such as disease resistance, pest resistance, and drought tolerance. This can help
farmers produce more food on the same amount of land, potentially addressing food
security challenges.

3. Improved Nutritional Content: GMOs can be developed to enhance the nutritional value of
crops. For instance, genetic modification has been used to increase the vitamin or mineral
content in staple crops like rice, corn, and soybeans. This approach, known as biofortification,
aims to address micronutrient deficiencies in populations.
Extended Shelf Life: GMOs have been utilized to enhance the shelf life of certain fruits and
vegetables. Genetic modifications can slow down the ripening process or delay senescence,
reducing spoilage and food waste.
Herbicide Tolerance: Some GMO crops have been engineered to be tolerant to specific
herbicides. This allows farmers to control weeds more effectively by applying herbicides that
selectively kill the weeds without harming the crop plants.

4. APPLICATIONS OF GMO’S IN AGRICULTURE:
Enhanced nutrient content: GMOs can be engineered to have improved nutrient profiles. For
example, "Golden Rice" is genetically modified to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of
vitamin A. This biofortified rice aims to address vitamin A deficiency, particularly in
developing countries.
Drought and stress tolerance: GMOs are being developed to withstand environmental
stresses like drought, heat, and salinity. These crops can potentially thrive in regions with
challenging growing conditions, helping to increase productivity and food security.
Extended shelf life: GMOs can be designed to have an extended shelf life, reducing post-
harvest losses. For example, genetically modified tomatoes with delayed ripening have been
developed, allowing for better transport and storage.

5. Pest and disease resistance: GMOs have been engineered to resist pests and diseases that can
damage crops. For example, crops like Bt cotton and Bt corn have been modified to produce a
protein toxic to certain insect pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Herbicide tolerance: GMOs have been developed to tolerate specific herbicides, allowing
farmers to control weeds more effectively. For instance, glyphosate-resistant crops, such as
Roundup Ready soybeans, can withstand the application of glyphosate herbicides, providing
efficient weed control.
Environmental sustainability: Some GMOs aim to promote sustainable agricultural
practices. For instance, insect-resistant crops can reduce the need for chemical insecticides,
minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, GMOs can be engineered to require fewer
inputs like water and fertilizer, reducing resource use.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL RELEASE OF GMO’S:
Risk assessment: Before GMOs are released into the environment, they typically undergo
rigorous risk assessments to evaluate their potential environmental impacts. These assessments
involve examining the characteristics of the GMO, its intended use, and potential risks to
ecosystems, non-target organisms, and human health.
Benefits of GMOs: GMOs can offer potential benefits such as increased crop yields,
improved nutritional content, enhanced resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental stresses,
and reduced reliance on chemical pesticides or fertilizers. These benefits can contribute to
sustainable agriculture and food security.
Ecological concerns: Some concerns surrounding the environmental release of GMOs
include the potential for gene flow to wild relatives, leading to hybridization and unintended
genetic consequences. This could potentially affect biodiversity or create ecological
imbalances.

7. Containment measures: To minimize potential risks, containment measures are often
employed during GMO field trials or commercial cultivation.
Regulatory frameworks: Different countries have established regulatory frameworks to
assess and manage the environmental release of GMOs. These frameworks aim to ensure that
GMOs are evaluated for their potential risks and that appropriate measures are in place to
prevent or mitigate any adverse effects.
Public perception and engagement: The release of GMOs into the environment can be a
topic of public debate and concern. It is important to engage in transparent and inclusive
discussions to address public concerns, ensure informed decision-making, and build public
trust in the regulatory processes.

8. RISK ASSESSMENT:
Hazard Identification: This step involves identifying and characterizing potential hazards or
adverse effects that could arise from the use of GMOs. It includes assessing both known and
potential hazards based on the specific genetic modifications and intended use of the GMO.
Exposure Assessment: This step involves estimating the extent and duration of human and
environmental exposure to GMOs. It considers factors such as the cultivation practices,
intended use, and potential routes of exposure
Risk Characterization: In this step, the information gathered from hazard identification and
exposure assessment is integrated to estimate the overall risk associated with GMOs. Risk
characterization involves evaluating the likelihood and severity of potential adverse effects. It
considers the available scientific data, uncertainty factors, and the weight of evidence to
provide an assessment of the potential risks.

9. RISK MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION:
Scientific assessment: The risk associated with GMO’S should be evaluated through rigorous
scientific assessment, considering factors such as environmental impacts, human health
effects. Regulatory bodies, such as government agencies, typically conduct these assessments
before approving GMO’s for commercial use.
Risk analysis: It involves identifying, assessing, and managing potential risks associated, and
with GMO’s. this process includes evaluating the likelihood and magnitude of risks, as well as
the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures.
Regulation and approval: Many countries have established regulatory frameworks to
oversee the development and use of GMO’s. These regulations often require extensive safety
assessment, labelling requirements, and public consultations before GMO’s can be approved
for commercial release.

10. Transparency and Labelling: Clear and accurate labelling of GMO’s products is importance
to enable consumers to make informed choices. Transparent communication regarding the
presence of GMO’s in food and agricultural products helps consumers exercise their right to
choose.
Post-market surveillance: Monitoring the long term effects of GMO’s after they have been
approved for commercial use is essential. Continuous surveillance, scientific research, and risk
assessment can help identify any unforeseen consequence and inform regulatory decision.

11. ROLES OF IBSC, RCGM, GEAC:
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC): The IBSC is a committee established at the
institutional level to ensure biosafety in the handling, transportation, and use of GMOs. Its
primary responsibility is to review and approve research projects involving GMOs within an
institution. The IBSC evaluates the potential risks associated with the use of GMOs and
ensures that adequate safety measures are in place to prevent any adverse effects on human
health and the environment.
Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM): The RCGM is a national-level
committee established by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in India. It oversees the
evaluation and monitoring of research and development activities involving GMOs. The
committee assesses the safety of proposed research projects and provides guidelines and
recommendations for conducting them. The RCGM also ensures compliance with the
regulatory framework and monitors the progress of research and development in the field of
genetic engineering.

12. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC): The GEAC is the apex regulatory
body in India for approving the environmental release of GMOs and products derived from
them. It operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The GEAC evaluates applications for the field trials, commercial cultivation, and
environmental release of GMOs. It assesses the potential environmental risks associated with
GMOs, including their impact on biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health. Based on the
evaluation, the GEAC grants or denies approvals for the release of GMOs into the
environment.