By : Satyaki Paul
Recently, the first genetically modified rubber plant was planted near the Rubber Board research farm near Guwahati. This genetically modified plant was engineered by Rubber Research Institute of India (RRI) located in Kerala specifically for the North-east climatic conditions.
The genetically modified rubber developed by the Kerala based RRI has additional copies of the gene Manganese-Containing Superoxide Dismutase(MnSOD gene), inserted in the plant.This extra gene is projected to tide over the severe cold conditions during winter. Excessive cold conditions of the North-eastern region of India acts as a major factor which in times affects the growth of young indigenous rubber plants.
In comparison to the GM rubber, the Natural rubber is a native of warm humid Amazon forests and is not naturally suited for the colder conditions in the Northeast. However, the North-eastern region is also one of the largest producers of indigenous rubber in India.Thus, the growth of young rubber plants remains deferred during the winter months, which are also characterized by progressive drying of the soil. This is the reason for the long immaturity period of this crop in the region. The Manganese-Containing Superoxide Dismutase(MnSOD) gene has the ability to protect plants from the adverse effects of severe environmental stresses such as cold conditions of winter and drought conditions of summer.
The laboratory results have already given satisfactory results, as per RRI. Thus, the GM rubber plant will adapt well and grow fast in the North-east region. Furthermore, to dissuade the fears of environmentalists the Rubber Board officials in a statement has clarified that, “there was no risk of genes flowing from the genetically modified rubber plant into any other native species of rubber plant”. The author works as a Ph.D. Research Scholar at the Department of Anthropology, University of Calcutta, and the co-author of the book Anthropology For All (2021).