What is BT Brinjal and why is it banned in India

BT Brinjal controversy is in news. But do you know what is BT Brinjal and why is it banned in India? Although you may find tons of articles on the internet when you do a little search on Google, I will try to explain here in brief, what is really is.

BT Brinjal, in general English, is a hybrid form of brinjal. Or more precisely, it is a genetically modified variety of brinjal which differs from the normal brinjal in its ability to fight against pests while they are still on the plants.

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.

Now, why it is being banned in India?

Well, according to reports, several studies on such genetically engineered plant products reported to have shown side-effects on both humans and animals. Although the particular study may not be directly of the BT Brinjal, but such products seem to affect the growth, organ development and damage, immune responsiveness, etc. in the animals that feed on them.

That is why, the BT Brinjal has been banned in India.

If you have more knowledge about it, please feel free to share your views on the same.

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Comments/Queries

( 8 Comments so far )

• Sanjeev Kumar Sharma
  
  Feb 11, 2010 at 05:57:pm

  Bt Brinjal is very harmful for human beings so please do not give the permission for selling the Bt Brinjal
• icmradmin
  
  Mar 02, 2010 at 04:22:pm

  Read More about The Bt Brinjal Controversy at

  http://www.icmrindia.org/casestudies/catalogue/Business%20Environment/BENV017.htm

  Thanks
• snehal
  
  Mar 18, 2010 at 07:46:pm

  hi m a student of biotechnology and v r studying everything about genetically modified (GM) plants,please people most of u dont even know that v r already consuming GM products for example soybean which is being imported from US is already Genetically modified and v have been having it for a very long time so plz dont create a chaos and lets give a chance to r country to develop these kind of crops.
• Shaswat
  
  Apr 13, 2010 at 03:59:pm

  I have done my BSc in biotechnology and finally MBA in Marketing. As far as my opinion is concerned there are plethora of genetically modified foods in today’s scenario. Even milk consumed by us is from a genetically modified cow, what we call is “Jersey Cow”. The nutrition content per 100ml of milk from a jersey cow is much lower than Indian breed cow. Even waste products eg dung, urine etc of an Indian breed cow has got antibacterial and medicinal value. But, just from profitability point of view, everyone is prefering hybrid cows and indian breed of cows are getting eroded. Same principle is applicable in the field of agriculture also. Our traditional breed of crops are more disease resistant and has more nutritional value but since they are lower in productivity we ignore all the positive aspects of that. Hybrid crops require more fertilizers, pesticides, weedicides etc which ultimately will hamper soil fertility in the long run and are hazardous for our health also. We need to think strategically taking environment into consideration. USA, has already banned use of pesticides in their country and those pesticides are being dumped in india at much lower rate. They are investing a lot on ecofriendly solutions such as biodegradable pesticides and bio pesticides. Our country on the other hand seems to be least bothered about all these issues.
  My personal view on bt brinjal is- the issue should be treated from health point of view and its consequences on soil fertility. It should not be given clean chit only because it requires less pesticides. Inserting gene of a bacteriun through a vector into the brinjal and making it resistant against certain pest is quite unnatural and is more like creating a USP for the product without knowing its consequences on health and environment.

  Remember-
  “Earth has sufficient for everyone’s need not for everyone’s greed”
  -Mahatma Gandhi

  Thank you.

  Shaswat
• santosh
  
  Apr 14, 2010 at 11:07:am

  the issue relating to bt-brinjal is a sensitive issue should it be released or not is an out of question. first thing to see is the consequences which will arise after consuming it.

  commercial point of view companies who are involved in preparation of these genes will be profited but not the common man who consumes it.

  for god sake just stop tretating people as the lab rats.
• Hina khan
  
  May 16, 2010 at 03:54:pm

  Hello , I m a student of Msc.biotechnology.We all know that their r two faces of coin n similar is the field of biotech, the various efforts, which r been made, r to meet the needs for the increasing population, two benefit the mankind either by developing GM crops that r insect- pest resistant to increase the productivity or by other means.These efforts r good but worthless if they r harming the biotic and a biotic system coz its directly or indirectly going to effect us only. Just keeping in mind one aspect that Bt brinjal (or any other GM crop)is resistant n increases the production and without knowing its consequences on the human heath ,the environment and blindly releasing it , will be a blunder.Lets take the example of GM tomato ,their increased shelf life has benefited the market as well as the people, but d thing which is missing is d flavour, d original Desi variety were much sour n juicy.So, what’s happening at present is that, a very attractive recipe is made but lacks salt n added up with a harmful effect on the body . No doubt that we r in progress, that this development is an achievement,but to make this field more worthwhile, improvements r required at this point.
• Hina khan
  
  May 16, 2010 at 03:39:pm

  Bt brinjal should not be released in market until its 100 percent safe for consumption , not at all with the toxicity present in it.
• arunita
  
  May 16, 2010 at 10:18:pm

  hello, m a student of m.sc nutrition and the main purpose which should be expected out of a food is its nutritive value and its health benefits. if primarily the product is unable to satisfy the two needs then for time being all the concentration should be brought to that side only. since i have done my graduation in biotech so i know that there are pros and cons of every bt product launched name it as bt cotton or bt tomatoes. so, the secondary area should be the concern for any side effect on humans as well as on soil. therefore i would suggest that it should not be given a clean chit until all the needs are fulfilled.