Bt Brinjal-a transgenic brinjal created by inserting a gene cry1Ac from the soil bacterium Bacillus Thuringiensis in to brinjal, has got much hype these days. Whether it be ministers, media persons, scientists or common man everybody is talking about it. Some says its good, some says its bad. But how to take a decision of whether it’s safe for consumption or not? Let’s take its positive aspect first. Promoters of it say that it is beneficial to small farmers due to its increased yield, pest resistance and minimum environmental impact. And also because it will reduce the cost incurred for pesticides (but this money saved will be balanced by the high priced seed of Bt Brinjal). In a highly populated country like ours it can be a great help to meet the food needs of the people. Moreover people will be saved from consuming high amount of pesticides which they are anyways consuming from the normal brinjals.
Coming to the negative aspect, many studies have been conducted and even many scientists are saying that it shouldn’t be approved as it can lead to various health problems like kidney problems, allergies and environmental problems. Many of the people opposing it says that Bt gene produces a poison which kills pests, so what is the proof that it won’t pose a threat to human health. Higher yield of a crop is not bigger than people’s health and biggies who are vouching for its introduction like kiran Mazumdar Shaw are doing this only for their business interests.
So people from both sides are fighting to prove their part, one proving the other wrong. Whatever be the result it’s the common man whose going to suffer. Let’s watch out for the result!
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