Scientists Develop Gene-Edited Rice as Alternative to GM Crops

Government scientists appear to have found an alternative to contentious genetically modified (GM) crops with the launch of two genome-edited varieties of rice—a key staple and export.

- Vijay C. Roy

The main difference between genome-edited and GM crops is that the former involves modifying the plant's own genes, while GM crops involve insertion of genes from external sources.

The launch of these genome-edited rice varieties follows the Supreme Court directing the government to formulate a national policy on genetically modified crops—covering research, cultivation, trade, and commerce—through public consultation. This is currently underway and yet to be finalized.