First-ever genetically modified rubber planted

Context:

Rubber Research Institute of India had developed a rubber plant tailored for the climatic conditions in the Northeast.

What are Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?

• A genetically modified organism (GMO) or living modified organism (LMO), is any organism whose genetic material has been modified.
• Mass production of GM technology-based human insulin, vaccines, growth hormones, and other drugs has greatly facilitated the availability and access to life-saving pharmaceuticals are the results of Genetic Modification.
• Under this, the gene is incorporated into the DNA of crop plants using laboratory-based gene guns or agrobacterium approaches.
• Bt cotton is the only crop that got permission to be grown as GMO. Other crops such as Bt Brinjal, Potato are waiting for trials and clearance.
• Indian farmers started cultivating Bt cotton in 2002-03.

About the GM rubber

• This is the world’s first genetically modified (GM) rubber plant tailored for the climatic conditions in the Northeast.
• The plant was developed at the Kerala-based Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII).
• This is the first time any GM crop has been developed exclusively for a particular region.
• Natural rubber is a native of warm humid Amazon forests and is not naturally suited for the colder conditions in the Northeast, which is one of the largest producers of rubber in India.
• The growth of young rubber plants remains suspended during the winter month.
• The GM rubber would tide over the severe cold conditions during winter, which impacts its growth.
• The GM rubber has additional copies of the gene MnSOD or manganese-containing superoxide dismutase.
• The MnSOD gene can protect plants from the adverse effects of severe environmental stresses such as cold and drought.