The genetically-modified (GM) brinjal has been cleared for environmental release by a high-level committee under the environment ministry. But the ministry has reserved its decision in view of a raging debate over the issue.
But the issue here is that even if the ministry were to approve it, states can discourage GM brinjal as agriculture is a state subject. GM brinjal carries a gene called "Bt" from a bacillus thuringiensis which releases toxin to kill fruit ans shoot borer insects. This is the main advantage that has encouraged the growth of GM brinjal.
But there are certain problems pertaining to this. Two European geneticists -Prof. Gilles-Eric Seralini and Prof. Michael Antoniou had warned India against accepting GM crops and foods. They termed it as a technology that had been rejected in Europe and was now being dumped in India. The last thing we wanted after being China's dumping ground was this, specially since it pertains to the health of the country.
GM Free India is an umbrella of several groups against GM foods, who have said that the expert committee hasn't adequately answered all the questions raised about the safety of Bt brinjal. Bt Brinjal has side effects on human health as it affects our immune system adversely. Consumption of the Brinjal would decrease human resistance to infections and lead to the body becoming resistant to anti-biotic drugs, making cures difficult. India doesn't have any public sector lab to test GM content. Because of this, the discretion is based entirely on reports coming from labs outside the country.
Since questions are so many and not enough satisfactory, the ministry has put a hold on the release of Bt brinjal. keeping the health issues in mind, a decision will soon be taken.
But the issue here is that even if the ministry were to approve it, states can discourage GM brinjal as agriculture is a state subject. GM brinjal carries a gene called "Bt" from a bacillus thuringiensis which releases toxin to kill fruit ans shoot borer insects. This is the main advantage that has encouraged the growth of GM brinjal.
But there are certain problems pertaining to this. Two European geneticists -Prof. Gilles-Eric Seralini and Prof. Michael Antoniou had warned India against accepting GM crops and foods. They termed it as a technology that had been rejected in Europe and was now being dumped in India. The last thing we wanted after being China's dumping ground was this, specially since it pertains to the health of the country.
GM Free India is an umbrella of several groups against GM foods, who have said that the expert committee hasn't adequately answered all the questions raised about the safety of Bt brinjal. Bt Brinjal has side effects on human health as it affects our immune system adversely. Consumption of the Brinjal would decrease human resistance to infections and lead to the body becoming resistant to anti-biotic drugs, making cures difficult. India doesn't have any public sector lab to test GM content. Because of this, the discretion is based entirely on reports coming from labs outside the country.
Since questions are so many and not enough satisfactory, the ministry has put a hold on the release of Bt brinjal. keeping the health issues in mind, a decision will soon be taken.
Wacky Title!
ReplyDeletewell, if the Europeans aren't sure, then the modified Baingan will have to wait...
I like it!!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely should. Its high time we promote ourselves from a dumping ground to something better, rather safer!