New Delhi, May 4 -- 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.

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.

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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 under...