The humble vaingan has sparked a virtual war between those who oppose the introduction of the first genetically modified (GM) vegetable, and those who see it as a new horizon of hope for increasing brinjal output by over 50 per cent. The Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) Brinjal, a genetically modified version of the vegetable, is waiting in the wings to be commercially marketed.
VOICING protest against introduction of Bt Brinjal in India, founder of Isha Foundation Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev on Sunday said there seems to be some commercial motive behind bringing in the genetically modified (GM) food into the country.
Farmers' Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Dr Ramkrishna Kusmaria has said giving permission for Bt brinjal will hit India's age-old farming system. Bt brinjal will not only affect human health adversely but will also cast ill-effects on environment. Dr Kusmaria was addressing a conference at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala recently.
DEHRA DUN: Uttarakhand has banned cultivation, sale or consumption of the genetically modified Bt Brinjal with immediate effect. Announcing this here on Friday, Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said the Bt Brinjal or genetically modified plant materials could not be allowed to play with the highly sensitive and rich eco-system or animal and human health of Uttarakhand.
Ten state governments have decided not to wait for the end of the controversy over whether genetically modified (GM) brinjal, popularly termed Bt brinjal, should be approved or not. They have decided not to allow it in their states anyway.
