Btbrinjal

BT brinjal is a transgenic brinjal created by inserting a gene cry1Ac from soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into brinjal. A US-based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation and a Maharashtra-based Indian company market BT brinjal in India.

Bt Brinjal has been produced by inserting a toxin gene, Cry1Ac, from a soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringenesis [Bt] into brinjal plant using the technique of genetic engineering. Bt Brinjal has been developed by Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company Ltd [Mahyco], and the producers claim that by producing the toxin the plant will be able to kill the major insect pest in Brinjal, the Fruit and Shoot Borer. Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), the regulatory body approved the crop on the basis of the safety test data presented by Mahyco. GM (genetically modifies) food can lead to kidney disorder, liver disorder, cancer and physical disorders among millions of Indians.

The Farmers Unions, Scientists and Consumer groups came together to say a firm No to Bt Brinjal.

Dr. Shiv Chopra, a noted micro biologist and food safety specialist “The approval (of Bt brinjal) will be the beginning of the end of Indian agriculture.”

In Bangalore: A group of college students dressed in Brinjal costumes paraded at the Brigade road signal today to express their choice not to consume Bt Brinjal. Dressed in life size brinjal costumes, the youth interacted with passersby distributing booklets which highlighted the effect of BT Brinjal. They urged ‘nama Bangalooru’ to attend and voice its preference at the Bt Brinjal consultations scheduled in Bangalore.
“We will not be treated as lab rats.” There are enough variety and quantity of brinjals for consumption. Weighing the ill effect Bt brinjal has on consumers health, the environment and forcing farmers into slavery of buying Bt Brinjal seed, it’s not worth the trouble. Why should we be at the mercy of the government and financial interests of multinational companies? It’s great that Jairam Ramesh has organized these public consultations to record the choice of consumers, farmers and scientists. We should actively participate and express our choice” said Smithen and Snehal, St Joseph Arts & Science College and Bangalore Institute of Legal Studies.
In Chennai: Vegetable buyers who came to the Chennai’s T.Nagar vegetable market on Thursday were greeted by a rare sight of live brinjals talking to them about the need to save the ‘real’ brinjal. This was part of a public engagement campaign by Greenpeace in Chennai to let the Chennaites know about the public consultations being organized by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on Bt Brinjal, the first genetically modified food crop that has reached commercial approval stage.
Most of the vendors and consumers had no idea about BT Brinjal or genetically modified food crops. These vendors and consumers showed concern about genetically modified food and the effects of the same on human beings and environment.
This is a good move by the volunteers to educate the people about the dangers of Bt brinjals and raise voices to keep food safe and our agriculture sustainable.