Genetically Modified Food in India

India's Ministry of Environment and Forests has given the go-ahead to test four hybrid varieties of Bt brinjal, promising better yield and making less use of pesticides, across 11 locations in the country until April 2008. The Ministry also cleared proposals for test studies for other food crops — bhindi (okra), rice and tomatoes. What more could one possibly want in a thali?

What is Bt?
Bt. Stands for Bacillus Thurigniensis, a soil bacterium which synthesizes a crystal (Cry) protein. In the insect gut, the protein breaks down to release toxin, which kills the insect. These Cry genes are known as Bt genes which are inserted into a plant through genetic engineering. This allows the plant to produce its own toxin which it not normally produce. 

Bt Cotton
Bt. cotton is the only transgenic crop approved for commercial cultivation in India.  It contains the Cry 1 AC gene (MON 531 event) of M/s Mahyco was the first transgenic crop released in India in April 2002 with the approval of the GEAC.  Subsequently, 62 new Bt cotton varieties have been released.  Despite large-scale protests, this new technology allowed India to surpass the U.S. and become the second largest cotton producer after China.  Note that India was a late entrant given that Bt cotton is under commercial cultivation in USA, Australia, China, Mexico, South Africa and Argentina.

Bt Brinjal
The Bt brinjal has the same Cry1Ac gene from Bacillus thuringiensis as cotton. The gene makes the plant tolerant to the fruit and shoot borers, pests which attack it throughout its life cycle. The yield-loss due to fruit and shoot borers in India alone is estimated to be about $221 million (Rs 900 crores). What is unique about Bt brinjal is that it is the first GM crop to be released in India and the first to be released globally. Bt okra is hot on the heels of bt brinjal and has been permitted for testing in confined field conditions in Rabi 2007. Transgenic rice and Bt tomato trials have also been allowed under confined field conditions.

It is not that far away when we can order an entire thali of bt food, served by a waiter in bt cotton uniform and dropping curry on a table covered with bt cotton tablecloth.