3D Bioprinting |
Why in News: A recent publication in ‘Cell Stem Cell’ reports that scientists have successfully produced the initial functional 3D printed brain tissue.
About 3D Bioprinting
Bio-printing refers to an additive manufacturing process that combines biomaterials, including cells and growth factors, to fabricate tissue-like structures mimicking natural tissues.
Bio-ink Composition:
- Bio-ink constitutes a blend of living cells and a compatible base, such as collagen, gelatin, hyaluronan, silk, alginate, or nanocellulose.
Applications:
Lab-Grown Meat |
Why in News: Italy has given the nod to a proposal banning lab-grown meat and synthetic food products, citing a commitment to preserving the nation’s culinary heritage and public health.
About Lab-Grown Meat/ Cultured Meat:
Cultured meat, also known as cell-based meat or cultivated meat, is authentic animal meat, including seafood and organ meats, grown by directly cultivating animal cells.
- Ethical Advantage: Unlike traditional meat production methods, cultured meat does not necessitate the slaughter of livestock.
- Replication of Taste and Texture:Animal DNA is utilized in labs to replicate the taste and texture of conventional meat products.
- Regulatory Status: Singapore is currently the sole country to have sanctioned the consumption of cell-based meat.
Process of Lab-Grown Meat Production:
- Stem Cell Harvesting:Stem cells are obtained via biopsy from a fresh meat sample.
- Isolation of Cells: Different types of cells, such as muscle and fat cells, are isolated from the harvested stem cells.
- Cell Growth:Cells are cultivated in a bioreactor employing principles of cell culture and tissue engineering to facilitate growth and replication.
- Cell Differentiation:Cells are distributed onto scaffolds, or “moulds,” to induce differentiation into connective tissues, muscles, and fats, culminating in the production of the final meat product.
Genetically Modified (GM) Crops |
Why in News: The Indian government recently informed the Supreme Court that the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops like mustard would lead to more affordable edible oil for the general population and serve the national interest by decreasing reliance on foreign imports.
About GM Crops
GM crops are plants whose genetic makeup is artificially altered, typically by incorporating genetic material from another organism. This modification aims to confer new traits, such as enhanced yield, herbicide tolerance, disease or drought resistance, or improved nutritional content.
- Previous Approval: India had previously sanctioned the commercial cultivation of only one GM crop, Bt cotton.
- Recent Recommendation:The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has proposed GM Mustard for commercial cultivation, expanding the scope of approved GM crops in India.
GM Mustard (DMH-11)
GM Mustard, specifically Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11), is a genetically modified form of mustard developed in India.
- It’s designed to tolerate herbicides and enhance yield.
Genetic Composition:
- DMH-11 originates from a crossbreeding of the Indian mustard variety ‘Varuna’ and the East European ‘Early Heera-2’.
- It contains two foreign genes (‘barnase’ and ‘barstar’) sourced from the soil bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.
Benefits and Performance:
- DMH-11 has demonstrated around 28% higher yield compared to the national standard and 37% higher than the zonal benchmarks.
- Its genetic makeup enables the breeding of commercially viable high-yielding mustard hybrids.
Regulatory Approval:
- The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has approved the use of DMH-11, endorsing its safety and efficacy.
- The ‘Bar gene’ within DMH-11 ensures the genetic purity of hybrid seeds, further solidifying its commercial viability.
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) |
Why in News: Recently, the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana have rejected a proposal endorsed by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of the central government to conduct trials for a novel variety of genetically modified cotton seeds.
About GEAC
Committee Overview:
- Statutory Committee:Established under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro Organisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (Rules, 1989)” governed by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Ministry Affiliation:Operates within the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
- Name Evolution:Originally known as the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, renamed as the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee in 2010.
Functions:
- Appraisal Responsibilities:Tasked with assessing activities involving large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production, with a focus on environmental impact.
- Evaluation of Proposals:Reviews proposals concerning the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment, including experimental field trials.
- Regulatory Oversight:Monitors the use, import, and export of genetically modified (GM) organisms and crops, with the authority to restrict the manufacture and use of certain recombinants deemed hazardous for commercial purposes.
Composition:
- Leadership:Chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
- Membership:Consists of 24 members drawn from various ministries and institutions such as ICAR, ICMR, and CCMB, convening monthly to review applications across designated areas.
Bt cotton |
Why in News: India’s falling cotton production. The pink bollworm has taken a toll on the fibre crop, even as new “mating disruption” technologies to control the pest are showing promise.
About Bt cotton
Bt cotton, a genetically modified (GM) cotton variety, incorporates an insecticidal protein derived from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
Characteristics and Usage:
- Natural Toxicity:Various subspecies of B. thuringiensis present in soils exhibit toxicity to certain insect genera while remaining harmless to other organisms.
- Historical Use: Bt has been utilized globally, including in India, to control stored grain pests and as part of cotton Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.
- Approval and Adoption:Approved for commercial cultivation in India in March 2002, Bt cotton was the country’s first GM crop.
Discovery of B. thuringiensis: Japanese biologist Shigetane Ishiwatari identified Bacillus thuringiensis in 1901. |
Genetic Modification Process:
- Transgenic Modification:Bt cotton is genetically modified by introducing one or more genes from Bacillus thuringiensis into the cotton plant.
- Production of Cryproteins:Inserted B. thuringiensis genes prompt cotton plant cells to generate crystal insecticidal proteins known as Cryproteins.
- Targeted Pest Control: These insecticidal proteins effectively combat significant cotton caterpillar pests, such as tobacco budworm and bollworm larvae.
Evolution of Bt Cotton Varieties:
- Bollgard I:Introduced in 1996 in the United States by Monsanto, Bollgard cotton features the Cry 1Ac toxin, offering robust protection against tobacco budworms and pink bollworm.
- Bollgard II:Launched in 2003, Bollgard II represents the advancement of Bt cotton technology, incorporating a second gene from Bt bacteria encoding the Cry 2Ab toxin.
