<–2/”>a >BT Brinjal
- In 2006, Maharashtra Hybird Seeds Company submitted biosafety and efficacy data to the GEAC and applied for permission to conduct large-scale trials
- At the same time SC imposed a ban on the on-going field trials
- An expert committee was constituted by GEAC to look into the concerns raised by several civil Society actors
- SC later lifted the ban on field trials
- After a series of reviews the Environment ministry declared a moratorium on Bt Brinjal in Feb 2010
Risk assessment
- Civil society has demanded that the science of risk assessment be made rigourous, independent and peer-reviewed
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BT Brinjal
BT Brinjal is a genetically modified (GM) variety of brinjal (eggplant) that has been engineered to be resistant to the eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB), a major insect pest of brinjal. The GM brinjal was developed by Mahyco, an Indian agricultural Biotechnology company, in collaboration with the US-based multinational corporation, Monsanto.
History of BT Brinjal
The development of BT Brinjal began in the early 1990s. Mahyco obtained the BT gene from Monsanto in 1995 and began field trials of the GM brinjal in India in 1998. The GM brinjal was approved for commercial cultivation in India in 2009, but its commercialization was suspended in 2010 following protests from environmental and consumer groups.
Genetic modification of BT Brinjal
The BT gene is a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Bt produces a protein that is toxic to insects. When an insect ingests the Bt protein, it is killed. The BT gene is inserted into the brinjal plant’s genome, which allows the plant to produce the Bt protein. This makes the plant resistant to the EFSA, which is a major insect pest of brinjal.
Benefits of BT Brinjal
The main benefit of BT Brinjal is that it is resistant to the EFSA. This means that farmers can use less pesticides to control the pest, which can reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. BT Brinjal is also more tolerant to drought and other environmental stresses, which can improve crop yields.
Risks of BT Brinjal
There are a number of potential risks associated with BT Brinjal. One risk is that the Bt gene could transfer to other Plants, such as wild relatives of brinjal. This could lead to the development of “superweeds” that are resistant to herbicides. Another risk is that the Bt protein could be harmful to non-target insects, such as beneficial insects that help to control pests. Finally, there is a risk that BT Brinjal could be harmful to human Health. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
Regulation of BT Brinjal
BT Brinjal has been approved for commercial cultivation in several countries, including China, the Philippines, and South Africa. However, it has not been approved for commercial cultivation in the United States or the European Union. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that BT Brinjal is safe for human consumption and the environment, but the European Commission has not yet approved its commercialization.
Public opinion on BT Brinjal
Public opinion on BT Brinjal is mixed. Some people believe that BT Brinjal is a safe and beneficial technology that can help to improve crop yields and reduce the use of pesticides. Others believe that BT Brinjal is a risky technology that could have negative impacts on the environment and human health.
Risk assessment
Risk assessment is a process that is used to identify and evaluate the potential risks associated with a new technology. The goal of risk assessment is to ensure that the benefits of a new technology outweigh the risks.
The risk assessment process for BT Brinjal began with the identification of potential risks. The potential risks included the transfer of the Bt gene to other plants, the harm to non-target insects, and the harm to human health.
Once the potential risks were identified, they were evaluated. The evaluation of risks involved a review of the scientific literature and the conduct of field trials. The results of the evaluation showed that the risks of BT Brinjal were low.
The final step in the risk assessment process was the development of risk management strategies. Risk management strategies are designed to reduce the risks associated with a new technology. The risk management strategies for BT Brinjal included the development of containment measures to prevent the transfer of the Bt gene to other plants, the monitoring of non-target insects, and the labeling of BT Brinjal products.
Public perception of risk assessment
The public perception of risk assessment is mixed. Some people believe that risk assessment is a valuable tool that can help to identify and reduce risks. Others believe that risk assessment is a biased process that is influenced by special interests.
The public perception of risk assessment is important because it can affect the public’s acceptance of new technologies. If the public believes that risk assessment is a valuable tool, they are more likely to accept new technologies that have been through the risk assessment process. However, if the public believes that risk assessment is a biased process, they are less likely to accept new technologies.
What is BT Brinjal?
BT Brinjal is a genetically modified variety of brinjal (eggplant) that has been engineered to contain a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). This gene produces a protein that is toxic to certain insects, including the brinjal fruit and shoot borer.
What are the benefits of BT Brinjal?
BT Brinjal is designed to be resistant to the brinjal fruit and shoot borer, a major pest of brinjal. This means that farmers can use less pesticides to control the pest, which can reduce costs and improve the environment. BT Brinjal is also said to be more nutritious than conventional brinjal.
What are the risks of BT Brinjal?
Some people have raised concerns about the potential risks of BT Brinjal, including the possibility that it could harm human health or the environment. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these concerns. BT Brinjal has been extensively tested and is safe for human consumption. It is also unlikely to harm the environment, as the Bt toxin is only toxic to certain insects and does not harm other organisms.
What is the current status of BT Brinjal?
BT Brinjal is currently not commercially available in any country. It was approved for cultivation in India in 2009, but its commercialization was suspended in 2010 due to concerns raised by some environmental groups. BT Brinjal is still being evaluated by regulatory authorities in other countries.
What is the future of BT Brinjal?
The future of BT Brinjal is uncertain. It is possible that it will eventually be commercialized in some countries, but it is also possible that it will never be widely grown. The decision of whether or not to grow BT Brinjal will ultimately be made by farmers and consumers.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a type of genetically modified organism (GMO)?
(A) Bt brinjal
(B) Golden rice
(C) Roundup Ready soybeans
(D) Aspartame
Answer
(D) Aspartame is a synthetic sweetener, not a GMO.
Question 2
What is the purpose of Genetic engineering?
(A) To create new organisms with desired traits
(B) To improve the yield of crops
(C) To make crops resistant to pests and diseases
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above are purposes of genetic engineering.
Question 3
What are some of the potential risks of GMOs?
(A) They may be harmful to human health
(B) They may harm the environment
(C) They may harm non-target organisms
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above are potential risks of GMOs.
Question 4
What are some of the potential benefits of GMOs?
(A) They may improve crop yields
(B) They may make crops resistant to pests and diseases
(C) They may reduce the use of pesticides
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above are potential benefits of GMOs.
Question 5
What is the current status of GMOs in the world?
(A) They are widely grown in many countries
(B) They are grown in a few countries
(C) They are not grown in any countries
(D) They are grown in some countries, but not in the United States
Answer
(A) GMOs are widely grown in many countries, including the United States.
Question 6
What is the regulatory status of GMOs in the United States?
(A) They are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
(B) They are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
(C) They are regulated by the Department of Agriculture (USDA)
(D) They are regulated by all of the above
Answer
(D) GMOs are regulated by all of the above agencies.
Question 7
What is the public opinion on GMOs?
(A) Most people support GMOs
(B) Most people oppose GMOs
(C) There is no clear consensus on GMOs
(D) People are evenly divided on GMOs
Answer
(C) There is no clear consensus on GMOs. Some people support GMOs because they believe they can help to improve food production and reduce the use of pesticides. Others oppose GMOs because they are concerned about the potential risks to human health and the environment.
Question 8
What is the future of GMOs?
(A) They will continue to be widely grown in many countries
(B) They will be phased out in favor of other technologies
(C) Their use will be restricted to certain crops or applications
(D) It is too early to say what the future holds for GMOs
Answer
(D) It is too early to say what the future holds for GMOs. The use of GMOs is likely to continue to be debated, and their regulatory status may change in the future.