BT BRINJAL CONTROVERSY

We all Indians claim to be the superpower till 2020 (and if not possible till 2050 as the time limit keeps on extending as the predicted time approaches near!!) along with the most talented scientists of our time making the out of world researches. But if this is the way we handle such sensitive issues like that of GM crops mainly BT BRINJAL, than this idea needs a lot of  rethinking. On Friday, 22-1-2010, the argument between Union ministers for agriculture and environment, Sharad Pawar and Jairam Ramesh got heated up over whether to clear genetically modified crop Bt brinjal for commercial use or not. While Pawar has said that Bt brinjal has been cleared by biotech regulator Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) and hence should be allowed to be marketed, the environment minister has said the final decision on the issue rests with the government .

State governments of Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal have already decided not to allow BT brinjal in their state. These three states produce 60% of brinjal of our country. Brinjal comprise about 9% of total vegetable production of india and about 2,500 varieties of brinjal are being cultivated across the country. Ramesh said “We have asked for the expert opinion of 60 eminent scientists  and the final decision taken would not be in a closed room but taking into consideration everything."

However, the discussion also veered towards the Bt cotton cultivation and its impact in Gujarat. The Bt cotton was introduced in state in year 2001. Jassiben Solanki of Mehsana said, "In the last few years, Bt cotton production has come down drastically after a bumper cultivation in initial years. There are also cases of Bt cotton fodder affecting the reproduction cycle of cattles."

Some farmers who cultivated bt cotton in other parts of country said,
1. Yields started falling after three years, and now the crop was not worth harvesting.
2. Existing pests developed resistance, new pests appeared. They now spend more on pesticides than they did on hybrids.
3. Soil quality has deteriorated so much that nothing now grows after Bt Cotton is cultivated and harvested.
4. All those who came into contact with the cotton suffered allergies.
5. Cattle died in large numbers and fell sick after being fed Bt Cotton straw. In Andhra Pradesh post mortem revealed the role of the Bt toxin.

Last year the French scientist Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini of the Committee for Independent Research and Information on Genetic Engineering (CRIIGEN) was given the task to examine the effects of BT brinjal  submitted  by Monsanto-Mahyco to the Indian regulatory authorities. Seralini  found the following health impacts of BT brinjal:

·          Bt brinjal produces a protein in the vegetable cells that induce antibiotic resistance. This is recognised as a major health problem and is inappropriate for commercialised use.

·          Bt brinjal appears to have 15 percent less calories and different alkaloid content compared to non-GM brinjal. It contains 16-17 mg/kg Bt insecticide toxin. When fed to animals, effects were observed on blood chemistry and  on blood clotting time (prothrombin).

·          Changes in lactating cows were observed which include -  increased weight gain, intake of more dry roughage matter and milk production up by 10-14 percent as if they were treated by a hormone.

·          Rats fed Bt brinjal had diarrhoea, increased water consumption; decrease in liver weight, and liver to body weight.

·          Feed intake was modified in broiler chickens.

From this, Seralini stated that it is not safe at all and it is foolish on the part of india to introduce such GM products in the markets without proper prior analysis. Also he stated that longest productivity test he carried out was just of 90 days.  Long term use may lead to tumor and cancer. So far, over 70,000 Indians have signed the “I am No Lab Rat” anti-GM protest in India that is also battling large scale cultivation of Bt cotton. As a matter of fact, many NGOs, state governments and scientists have come forward to hold a nationwide protest against BT brinjal on 30TH January; Mahatma’s martyrdom day.



In different regions of our country, people came forward with different ideas to protest against BT BRINJAL:-

·         The Kerala government  proposed nation-wide protest against Bt brinjal on Martyr’s Day.

·         In Kolkota, some scientists and activists will observe a day long fast at a stall in the ongoing kolkota bookfair on 30^th january.

·         In Chandigarh, Activists of NGO Swadeshi Jagran Manch Friday raised slogans against the clearance given to BT Brinjal, saying it was like "serving poison on a platter" on 29^th January.

·         A group of people in Chennai  TOOK a BT WALK to protest.

·         Long back, the largest protest took place in Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Orissa, organized by Orissa Nari Samaj, a tribal women’s collective. More than 5 000 tribal women, along with hundreds of farmers from Dhenkanal and over 300 students from Bhubaneswar joined a large protest rally against GM crops.

·         Earlier, at Jantar Mantar, Delhi  a protest was held which was attented by officials from 15 states.

 

It should be noted that we are not the ones who are against any scientific development or becoming a hurdle against the progress of our country but we are just saying that if what is done is right than allow us to be a part of it. Maintain complete transparency over this sensitive issue. Details such as the scientific basis for the conclusions of the GEAC committee, factors considered by the committee and any dissent within the committee should be disclosed. Being myself a biotech student, any advancement on the path of biotechnology will definitely held my head high but large scale commercialization of not so properly analysed BT products (remember here BT stands for the bacteria- BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS and not biotechnology) obviously is a NO-NO from my side.

For the future of our country, join the protest carried out throughout India in any form and see what the collective efforts can do!

The concerned officials have decided to hold a meeting to discuss the topic on 6th february and the final decision would be taken on 10th february.

HOT DEBATE OVER BT BRINJAL VIDEO