New Delhi, February 10: Genetically Modified (GM) BT Brinjal has been in centre stage of controversy these days. However, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has put the decision of commercial use of BT Brinjal on hold but many people want to know “What is BT Brinjal?”
To understand the definition of BT Brinjal, first you have to understand kinds of brinjal in India and its production.
There are as many as 2000 varieties are available in India. But most of the crops are destroyed due to insect, resulting in huge loss for farmers.
To save the Brinjal yields from bugs, scientists have introduced Bacillus Thuringiensis Brinjal, which is capable to fight with bugs.
Bacillus Thuringiensis or Bt is a soil-dwelling bacterium, which acts as a pesticide and increases brinjal yields.
Scintiests from India’s number one seeds company Mahyco in collaboration with American multinational Monsanto, genetically modified brinjal by injecting BT.
Bacillus thuringiensis, commonly used as a pesticide was discovered by Japanese biologist Shigetane Ishiwata in 1901.
Why controversy?
There are mixed views on BT brinjal. Some NGOs and other organizations believe that use of pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis may harm human as there is no hundred percent safety has been claimed by the scientists. However, some experts believe that the Bacillus thuringiensis only kills bugs and it will not affect humans.
But after the failure of genetically modified cotton seeds, the safety concerns are attached with the BT brinjal.
Some environmental experts said that the use of genetically modified BT brinjal on rats could be fatal. It should be better to go under through research before experimenting it on humans, they demanded.
Another question remains unanswered, why government is in hurry to give nod to BT brinjal for commercial use? It should not be experimented on Indians first
—Agencies