'Bt brinjal will not cause any harm to biodiversity'

Brinjal, the humble vegetable, is now a subject of intense debate, as the country tries to figure out the benefits and harmful effects of its genetically modified (GM) variant. In Karnataka and many other states, organisations representing farmers are opposed to the cultivation of Bt brinjal.

But Shanthu Shantharam, a molecular biologist and biotechnologist, feels that Bt brinjal should be embraced.
He spoke to the media in Bangalore about biosafety in view of genetic modification, and about the environmental and economic impacts of Bt brinjal.

Shantharam, who has served as the chief of the Washington DC branch of the USDA’s Biotechnology Regulatory Services for over 14 years, later told Vaishalli Chandra that Bt brinjal does not need human trials and that it will add to the genetic diversity.

Why do we need Bt brinjal?
We need it to bring down the cost of cultivation. Sixty to 70% of planted brinjal is lost to pests during cultivation. Farmers use insecticides and sprays that are harmful to the soil as well as to the labourers working on farms.

Brinjal has no natural resistance to the stem borer (pest). Hence, there is a need to have a variant that is resistant to the pest.
The alternative technology, other than conventional breeding, that helps achieve this is Bt. Through this technology, cost and pollution can be reduced and the produce will be bountiful. Moreover, the technology is ready to deliver the product now.

There are 2,500 varieties of brinjal. If Bt brinjal were to be introduced, will it not affect biodiversity?
The premise that that the introduction of Bt brinjal will destroy biodiversity is a scientific falsehood. There are no more than 200 varieties of brinjals.

These NGOs (those against Bt brinjal) have a political definition of biodiversity, which has no scientific basis. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research in Delhi, which is the world’s second-largest gene plasma bank, has only 200 varieties.

The idea that Bt brinjal will destroy biodiversity is nonsensical. In fact, since brinjal has no natural resistance (to pests), the introduction of Bt brinjal will help increase genetic diversity.

Isn’t there a threat to other varieties through cross-pollination?
The apprehension that gene transfer will result in contamination is a fallacy. Gene transfer is not an easy phenomenon. It has to be fixed in population through selection pressure. Also, there is no horizontal transfer of the gene — it will not transfer to animals; there is only vertical transfer — from one generation to the next within the same species.

You talk about growing Bt brinjal organically. Is it really possible?
Of course. Before the introduction of GM (genetically modified) crops, there were two types of agriculture — organic and chemical. An organic product is grown without the use of any chemicals. That can be done with a Bt seed as well.

The concern of the organic industry is market share. Even after over 60 years of organic cultivation, the products have less than 3% of the market share across the world. They (those involved in organic cultivation) are frustrated. With the introduction of GM crops, the share will drop further.

When a new technology is introduced, it hurts the business interest of the organic food industry. In fact, the UK Royal Society and other nutrition assessment agencies have proved that organic produce is no more healthier than a normal produce.

I have nothing against organic farming – it provides a feel-good factor. But those supporting organic foods should not say that genetically modified crops are bad.