The article is about the controversial cultivation of Bacillus Thuringiensis Brinjal (Bt brinjal) in India. Allegations regarding its illegal growth in Haryana have been voiced by the representatives the Coalition for a GM-Free India (CGFI). Bt brinjal is a genetically modified product of a collaboration between India’s seeds company Mahyco and American multinational Monsanto. While the GM crop promises to improve agricultural yields, it is under scrutiny due to potential negative health effects.
Bt Brinjal: A Solution or a Crisis?
Bt brinjal has been developed with the intention of combating insect pests and diseases that threaten brinjal crops. The fruit and shoot borer (FSB) Leucinodes orbonalis is one of the most serious infestations that jeopardize their survival. The typical method of dealing with this, insecticide sprays, are often ineffective as FSB larvae manage to hide within shoots and fruits. The creation of FSB-resistant brinjal, or Bt brinjal, involved a transformation process akin to the development of Bt cotton.
According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), Bt brinjal carries the cry1Ac gene. This gene produces an insecticidal protein, providing resistance against the fruit and shoot borer pest.
The Underlying Principles of Genetically Modified Organisms
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are organisms like plants, animals, or microorganisms whose genetic material has been manipulated unnaturally, i.e., not through mating or natural recombination. This happens through the use of recombinant DNA technology or genetic engineering. The technique permits the transfer of selected individual genes from one organism to another, even between unrelated species.
GM crops are designed to provide elevated levels of crop protection by introducing resistance against plant diseases caused by insects, viruses, and herbicides. Insects are combated by incorporating a toxin-producing gene into the plant, which can be currently found in conventional agricultural insecticides and is deemed safe for human consumption.
| disease | method of resistance |
|---|---|
| Insects | Incorporating a toxin-producing gene into the plant |
| Viruses | Introduction of a gene from certain viruses which cause disease in plants |
| Herbicides | Introduction of a gene from a bacterium conveying resistance to some herbicides |
The Disequilibrium Created by GM Crops
Virus resistance is facilitated through the introduction of a gene from certain viruses known to cause diseases in plants. This makes plants less susceptible to such diseases, leading to higher crop yields. Herbicide tolerance is attained through the introduction of a gene from a bacterium that conveys resistance to some herbicides. This has resulted in lesser amounts of herbicides being used in areas with high weed pressure. However, the introduction of these experimental foods into the market without sufficient research could be risky. The effect of GM crops on rats, for instance, has proven fatal for lungs and kidneys. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), has sought more information about Bt brinjal from Bangladesh, where it has been grown since 2013.
