For too long, frontier science research in Bangladesh’s agricultural biotechnology had been bogged down with gloomy prospects of regulatory bottlenecks. But not anymore.
The government has finally deregulated cutting-edge genome editing technology and exempted the crops derived through gene editing from going through the cumbersome regulatory gatekeeping as in the case of genetically engineered crops.
Under just released new guidelines, the government has decided to treat crops derived through gene editing as good as conventionally-bred crops and, once the institutional regulatory body is satisfied, such crops can get release approval from the National Seed Board (NSB) as in the case of traditional crop varieties.
But for genetically engineered crops, the developers, scientists, will still have to satisfy the inter-ministerial National Committee on Biosafety (NCB), notorious for dilly dallying over product approvals. One glaring example is vitamin A enriched Golden Rice, which the scientists had applied for approval six years ago. The decision remains pending with the NCB.
While giving the gene edited crops exemption from cumbersome inter-ministerial regulatory process, the government says: “Many countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, England, India, Japan, the Philippines and the United States, now consider gene edited plants like conventionally bred varieties and scientists are using genome editing to deal with serious challenges like climate change, pests, diseases, nutritional quality, etc.”
A good number of genome-edited plants, such as tomatoes, soybeans, corn, etc., are now cultivated by farmers in many countries, reads the government-approved new standard operating procedures (SOP).
Considering the precision and speed of crop improvement using genome editing technology, several research organizations, institutes under the National Agricultural Research System (NARS), National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB), universities, research laboratories in Bangladesh have initiated efforts to apply genome editing for improvement of crop plants for specific traits, including climate-resilient, high quality and high yielding traits.
That is why the government developed the SOP to facilitate the research and release of gene edited crops that meet the needs of farmers and consumers alike.
Genetic engineering vs gene editing
Genome or gene editing is a type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted, modified or replaced in the genome of a living organism. Unlike early genetic engineering technologies that randomly insert genetic material into a host genome, gene editing targets the insertions to site-specific locations.
Of many gene editing tools, the CRISPR/Cas9 is a unique technology that enables scientists to edit parts of the genome by removing, adding or altering sections of the DNA sequence. It is currently the simplest, most versatile and precise method of genetic manipulation and is therefore causing a buzz in the world of science. This gene editing tool development earned Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Anne Doudna the 2020 Nobel in Chemistry.
At the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), scientists are applying the CRISPR/Cas9 tool to knock out a few targeted genes from some of its most productive rice varieties in pursuit of gaining new traits, which will effectively fight against blast, BPH and salinity.
State of current research
The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) was the first public institute to release four genetically engineered Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant (brinjal) varieties in Bangladesh in 2013. BARI and Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Limited signed an agreement for technical cooperation for the introgression of the Cry1Ac gene in two more popular eggplant varieties: BARI Begun-10, and BARI Begun-11. These two events are helping develop wilt tolerant and year-round Bt eggplant varieties.
In 2019, the National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB) started developing beta carotene-fortified eggplant through genetic transformation by multiple genes. NIB obtained seven transgenic eggplant lines and second-generation research is going on. NIB is currently also developing a gene edited low-glycemic index (low-GI) rice for diabetics.
This year, the Cotton Development Board began cultivation of genetically engineered Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton hybrid varieties for the first time in Bangladesh, long after India, Pakistan and Myanmar have done so. After years of foot-dragging, the National Committee on Biosafety (NCB) gave the approval on May 31, 2023.
BARI is leading an effort to develop a leaf curl virus-resistant tomato variety and a late blight resistant potato variety.
Back in 2017, BRRI completed the biosafety evaluation of Golden Rice line GR2E BRRI dhan29 and submitted the dossier, seeking regulatory approval. The National Committee on Biosafety (NCB) is still reviewing the dossier. The process has been delayed for more than six years without approval. Coming from behind, the scientists in the Philippines got the Filipino variety of vitamin A enriched Golden Rice approved by their regulators and the farmers there have already cultivated the rice rich with beta carotene.
In addition to its work on Golden Rice, BRRI is advancing in developing first-generation CRISPR/Cas9 target gene-edited rice lines with traits to effectively fight rice blast disease, insect-like brown planthopper (BPH), and salinity intrusion.
