Twitter
Advertisement

To eat or not to eat? Bt brinjal

Scientists who were part of the genetic engineering approval committee (GEAC) have come out in the open, alleging US multinationals were pressuring the government.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

With a final decision less than a month away, the divide in the nation’s polity and society over the introduction of Bt brinjal has deepened.

Scientists who were part of the genetic engineering approval committee (GEAC) have come out in the open, alleging US multinationals were pressuring the government. They suspect the companies may have bribed Indian experts to get a clearance for commercial use of the genetically-modified (GM) variety.

“The prime minister is swaying under excessive pressure from US companies. No scientist, unless bribed, will allow Bt brinjal’s commercial use since the GM crop poses a health hazard. Our government is pro-US and wants to emulate it,” Pushpa Bhargava, a leading molecular biologist who was the Supreme Court’s independent nominee to GEAC, said.

“Research has proved that it [Bt brinjal] poses health risks, but there is a nexus between politicians and US multinationals. Politicians do not care if the crop is good for people or not,” he said.  

Activists claim a conspiracy to first introduce Bt brinjal and later push other GM crops.

“At least five countries and 50 regions in Europe have rejected GM crops,” Vandana Shiva of Navdanya, a network of seed keepers and organic producers, said. 

It is a variety created by inserting gene Cry1Ac from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. The modification is said to make the brinjal plant resistant to lepidoptera (a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies).

The science and technology ministry claims the GM variety is safe for human consumption, but the environment and forest ministry has sought the view of 50 top scientists by February 20, when public discussions on the issue would be completed and the government would be in a position to take a decision. 

The controversy that began in 2002 with confined field trials snowballed into a nationwide debate after October 14, when GEAC allowed commercial use of the GM crop.

Promoters Monsanto and Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company) claim Bt brinjal will benefit small farmers because it is insect-resistant, increases yield, is cost-effective and has minimal environmental impact.

A powerful lobby in the government and industry agrees. “Our experts examined the science behind Bt brinjal and concluded that it is absolutely safe for science and environment. The review committee on genetic manipulation has 30 members and they are the best. They have cleared it,” Maharaj Kishan Bhan, secretary, department of biotechnology, said.

“Our farmers will benefit. Every year, brinjal crop worth over Rs1,000 crore is lost to insects. I don’t know whether people will like the taste of the GM crop, but it is safe for humans,” Samir Brahmachari, director-general, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, said.

Bhargava, however, said it only reduces crop loss and doesn’t increase yield.

“It has been scientifically proved that GM crops cause kidney, liver and reproductive track problems and skin diseases. Brinjal is the country’s most commonly-eaten vegetable and we should not put the health of the poor at risk. The government must not allow it,” he said.

“What [environment and forest minister] Jairam Ramesh has done [holding public debates] is smart. The prime minister might not agree with what scientists say because of the various lobbies that are working, but if people reject it, there would be no question of releasing Bt brinjal for commercial use,” Bhargava said.

“The kind of evidence that is coming up, we should freeze every movement on Bt brinjal. We should sit down and gather all evidence first, conduct independent tests and not rely on scientists who have been bought over by multinationals. The people of India deserve better scientific research. GEAC should resign. My faith in Indian scientists has been shaken,” noted health expert Veena Shatrugna said.

Sharad Nimbalkar, former vice-chancellor of Punjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, said, “Since brinjal is the most commonly-eaten vegetable by the poor, it is the government’s responsibility to ban varieties not safe for health.”

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement