India has set the stage for Genetically Modified Brinjal....know its effects

After the contraversial episode of BT Cotton or Genetically Modified(GM) Cotton .. now Indian Governement is after BT Brinjal or Genetically Modified Brinjal. This time the Ministry of Enivronment and Forest has taken strict measures to check the safety and efficency of BT brinjal. But there are both favourable and unfavourable conditions on the commercialization of this seed from various people and organisations in the country. Before getting in this detail... let us know more about BT Brinjal's effects.

The data generated on the safety, efficacy and performance of Bt brinjal conclude that Bt brinjal is safe for the consumers and the environment and is expected to provide enhanced economic benefits to farmers accrued from higher marketable yield and lower usage of pesticide sprays.

DNA is present in all living things such as plants, animals, microorganisms and is eaten by human beings with every meal. Most of it is broken down into more basic molecules during the digestion process whereas a small amount that is not broken down is either absorbed into the blood stream or excreted. So far there is no evidence to indicate that DNA from genetically modified foods has any additional risk to human health than DNA from conventional crops, animals or associated microorganisms that are normally eaten.

As per the regulatory requirement, the applicant has undertaken extensive biosafety assessment which includes environmental safety assessment as well as food and feed safety even if it has been approved for commercial cultivation in other countries. The environmental safety assessment includes studies on pollen escape out- crossing, aggressiveness and weediness, effect of the gene on non-target organisms, presence of the protein in soil and its effect on soil micro-flora, confirmation of the absence of Terminator Gene and baseline susceptibility studies. The food and feed safety assessment studies include composition analysis, allergenicity and toxicological studies and feeding studies on fish, chicken, cows and buffaloes. The biosafety data concludes that Bt brinjal is effective in controlling target pests, safe to environment, non-toxic in toxicity and animal feeding tests, non- allergenic and has potential to benefit the farmers

As the Ministry of Environment and Forests has received strong views both in favour and against commercialization of Bt brinjal in India from various stakeholders including the State Governments, farmers, civil societies, NGOs and scientists, the Ministry has decided to hold national consultations with the stakeholders before a final view on the environmental release of Bt brinjal is taken.

(This information was given by the Shri Namo Narain Meena, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and currently looking after Ministry of Environment and Forests in a return reply to question by Dr. Malasamy in the Rajya Sabha today 14th Dec.)

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