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 bacterium-mediated vector, along with other genes like promoters, markers etc.
This genetic insertion is said to give the Brinjal plant resistance against lepidopteron 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.
First let us undestand the controversy and why people are opposing it? Several studies on Bt crops in particular and GM crops in general show that there are many potential health hazards in foods bio-engineered in this manner. GM-fed animals in various studies have shown that there are problems with growth, organ development and damage, immune responsiveness and so on.
With Bt crops, a recent study from Madhya Pradesh in India shows adverse human health impacts in farm and factory workers with allergies caused by Bt Cotton. Itching skin, eruptions on the body, swollen faces etc., were also reported, correlated with levels of exposure to Bt Cotton.
Organizations like Greanpeace have been in the forefront of the campaign opposing the GM variety of 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 over-riding urgency to introduce Bt Brinjal in India.
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