The Controversy over Bt Brinjal

Over the last few weeks now there is one particular story that is doing the rounds in the media that has unsettled me quite a bit..this particular issue concerning Bt Brinjals..

Like a lot of issues..this particular decision of introducing genetically modified crops(GM) is far from transperent..whether the crops will help us or whether it will help only the interest of a particular seed manufacturing company is a question that will make the authorities regarding this matter quite uncomfortable to say the least..

The issue came to the fore last Ocotober when Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) gave a go ahead to the commercial planting of the Bt brinjal.The main player in the Indian market is Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Limited(MAHYCO).They carried out the two year field trials based on which GEAC made there recommendations..It is interesting to note that MAHYCO obtained license from global US-based seed major Monsanto..who stand to benefit directly if Bt Brinjals are indeed introduced for commercial production.
GEAC, which was set up by the ministry of environment and forest as a regulator for the purpose of research and testing of GM crops is guilty of being partisan to the interests of multinationals..
Complete data regarding the 2 year trial run was not made available initially and it was only after a Delhi high Court ruling that the actual data was made available under RTI..so it is already evident that the entire process was not very transperent and the trial results were not very favourable..

After analysing the data experts have found that Bt-brinjal may still have adverse effects to the environment and whether human consumption is possible without any side effects can only be said after further testing of the Bt brinjals.But inspite of the warnings from experts it beats common sense how the GEAC gave a go ahead for commercial production..

According to the pro Bt brinjal lobby the toxins present in the GM crop fights fruit and shoot borer pests which leads to loss of crops for the farmers..but the effects of the toxin to human health is not known and yet to be tested..

Science is continually progressing and no doubt we have to adapt ourselves to the changes..but at the same time we also have to decide if the changes will have any adverse effect on us and on our environment and who will be benifiting from these changes, whether the changes will reach the people who they are meant for..or they will only serve the interest of a few multinationals..

The way the entire issue has been handled, it seems like it is catering to the interest of the a third party instead of the consumers and the farmers..before introduction of GM crops for commercial production a complete and a transperent research and testing must be carried out..
The members of the GEAC should be more responsible and must comprise of specialists in this field..and ofcourse before introduction of GM crops..it should be seen whether the exsisting methods and proposals can be made better..

Now what the Government does next and what is the future of GM crops in our country remains to be seen..