What is bt brinjal? and Why BT brinjal in India is banned after bt brinjal controversy? Here are
answers for those who are confused with these terms in simple layman language.
What is Bt brinjal?
Bt brinjal is genetically modified variety of brinjal which gives more resistant to Brinjal plant
against insects.
In technical terms Bt Brinjal is a transgenic brinjal created by inserting a gene [Cry 1Ac] from
the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (and hence the name Bt) into Brinjal. The insertion of
the gene into the Brinjal cell in young cotyledons has been done through an Agro bacteriummediated vector, along with other genes like promoters, markers etc.
This genetic insertion is said to give the Brinjal plant resistance against insects. It is reported that
upon ingestion of the Bt toxin by the insect, there would be disruption of digestive processes,
ultimately resulting in the death of the insect.
Monsanto Holdings P Ltd, a US based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation that
promoted GM crops in India through Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech (a 50:50 joint venture between
Monsanto and Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company) found itself in the center of this debate.
Status of Brinjal
Brinjal is an important and indigenous vegetable crop in India. Brinjal has been in India for over
4,000 years. It accounts for half a million hectares of land in India with an output of 8.4 million
tonne.
Meanwhile, Mahyco said this will help millions of brinjal farmers who have been suffering from
the havoc caused by the Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer (BFSB). Bt brinjal will help them tackle
this pest in an environment-friendly manner and increase yields and farm income.
They say this will help small and marginal farmers from having to use 25-80 sprays of
pesticides which are ineffective, says the company
In Kerala, environmentalists and social activists observed a one-day fast on January 30 in protest
against the Centre's move to introduce Bt brinjal in the country.
Campaigns have also been organised by Greenpeace activists who have demanded long-term
tests before Bt brinjal is released into the market.
The governments of West Bengal, Orissa, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Bihar have
all indicated their opposition to the Union government's plan to approve Bt Brinjal.
Bt Brinjal in India
Bt Brinjal is being developed in India by M/s Mahyco [Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company].
No GM Brinjal has been released for an advanced stage of field trials in open conditions
anywhere in the world.
On February 9, 2010 the government of India officially announced that it needs some more time
to release Bt brinjal. Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said that there is no overriding urgency to introduce Bt Brinjal in India.