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Genetically Modified (GM) Crops Face an Uncertain Future in India: Bt Brinjal Appraisal – A Perspective

Bhaskar B.*, Ramesh Kumar P.

Abstract


India’s hesitant steps into seriously embracing the GM technology in mistakenly addressing an impending food shortage due to an ever increasing population has taken quite a tumble but with mixed results.  Its latest attempt in trying to commercialize the first genetically modified vegetable, Bt Brinjal, thus becoming the first GM food crop to be released in India for human consumption went pear shaped when the Union Government of India issued a public moratorium on its approval and commercialization after a series of national consultations in January and February 2010 across India, accounting for the views of over 6,000 farmers, scientists, civilians, government officials and non-governmental organizations amidst serious concerns about its inadequately addressed bio-safety issues & poor bio-safety guidelines followed during GM trials.  While arguments have raged both for and against the release of Bt Brinjal for human consumption, the authors’ view is that ultimately hopes and aspirations of Bt Brinjal and other GM food crops for commercialization purely rests on sound scientific and social merit rather than political expediencies.  This article looks at the current status of Bt Brinjal dispassionately without taking sides and provides a proper perspective to the whole sordid situation.

Keywords


Aubergine; Eggplant; Genetic Engineering; Genetic Modification, Bt Brinjal, Agrobacterium-mediated Genetic Transformation; Bt Toxin; Cry1Ac, Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, King of Vegetables, Fruit & Shoot Borer

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References


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