Environmental Studies 200: Current Event and Field Observation

Katie Noble V00912396

T05 – Isabelle
November 6th, 2019

Part 1: Current Event

Source: Gm Brinjals are Helping Bangladesh Farmers Earn More, Save More, Study Finds.
2019. https://bic.searca.org/site/gm-brinjals-are-helping-bangladesh-farmers-earn-more-save-
more-study-finds/

I came across this article originally in a nature magazine a few months ago and was so intrigued
by the idea of a genetically modified plant that doesn’t need pesticides and improves crop yield.
This article relates to the topic of both the amount of emissions being released by the agriculture
industry and pesticide use. A current issue that we cover in class is the Global Treadmill, the
need to stay competitive in the market today. Bt Brinjal increases crop yield and profit while
reducing pesticide use, which would deminish the concept of the global treadmill. This in turn
would decrease phosphate run off, pollution from agriculture, and a decrease in pesticide
exposure health issues. I was interested in why these studies have been conducted yet it is only
being practiced in minimal places like India. The article states that the study has been under
constant review by genetic engineering committees and other scientist which in turn is making
the idea of consuming genetically modified produce not necessarily safe.
Part 2: Field Observation

1. What question your field observation was trying to answer about your subject?
The question I asked the staff of Save on food was if they offered any genetically
modified produce or Brinjals.
2. What your field observation consisted of (how you did it)?
Prior to going to the grocery store I wanted to know more about the idea of genetically
modified plants. It has been discussed in many countries when they researched ways to
improve the negative impacts of the agriculture industry. However, I couldn’t find if I
could purchase these products anywhere. I went to my local Save on Foods and asked
three of the staff members about their produce selection and if they carried Brinjals.
3. What you discovered or learned?
The first staff member I asked hadn’t heard of Brinjals ever, so I followed with asking if
they carried any genetically modified produce and they stated they did. However, they
carried a very limited selection as fresh produce is shipped in from other countries that do
not genetically modify their produce and he had heard that most genetically modified
produce is made in the united states.
Meaning in my opinion, although there is a liable solution to diminish pollution the
market is so corrupted with the need to profit and sustain itself that individuals are
opposing to wide spread scientific ideas due to simple convenience and simplicity of the
current system.
4. How this relates to the research you have already completed on your topic?
This backs up much of the research I have done as there have been plenty of scientific
studies that all come to the conclusion that Brinjals are a scientifically proven way to
reduce emissions, but it has not been inserted globally. I want to research further the
reasons why; however, it is evident through the complete lack of knowledge from most
staff at the grocery store that it has only simply been studies in other countries and no
further action has been taken to incorporate this practice globally

5. Any new question that this observation inspired.

-How are they genetically modifying the produce? Is it safe?
-Who has seen these studies? Why are they not changing anything?