India Says No to Genetically Modified Eggplants

[one...two...tree 2,762]

After much debate over balancing the need for independent scientific testing and the needs of poor Indian farmers, the Indian government has decided to put on hold the introduction of genetically modified eggplant in the country. The move hampers the expansion of seed makers including Monsanto Co. in the world's second-most populous nation [BusinessWeek]. The government said there was no overriding food security argument for GM eggplant, and added that more safety studies needed to be done before the ban could be reconsidered. There is little evidence that GMO eggplant would cause harm to people eating it, but the crop is consumed very often in India, and some scientists and regulators argued that they needed more proof that long-term consumption wouldn't cause a problem. "It is my duty to adopt a cautious, precautionary principle-based approach and impose a moratorium on the release of Bt Brinjal till such time independent scientific studies establish, to the satisfaction of both the public and professionals, the safety of the product" [Daily News and Analysis], said the environment minister, Jairam Ramesh, who delivered the announcement.

The eggplant had been genetically modified by introducing a gene called cry1Ac from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. The gene instructs the plant to produce a protein toxic to certain insects, so the GM eggplants would have been able to fend off common borer pests. The Bt was sourced from Monsanto, which already sells Bt corn and Bt cotton seeds in the United States. In the 1990s, Monsanto triggered a huge debate in India by introducing genetically modified cotton.

Alhough the GM eggplant (or brinjal, as it is called in India) was cleared by a federal agency, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), the government put the roll-out on hold. Ramesh also said the national bureau of plant genetic resources had found that India's diversity rich regions were likely to be affected by the introduction of Bt Brinjal due to gene flow [Daily News and Analysis]—the tendency of crops to cross-breed and share genetic traits with other plants.

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[Calypso 465]

Are GM eggplants larger, thicker, and longer than ordinary eggplants?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Are GM eggplants larger, thicker, and longer than ordinary eggplants?

Yes.

The eggplant had been genetically modified by introducing a gene called cry1Ac from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. The gene instructs the plant to produce a protein toxic to certain insects, so the GM eggplants would have been able to fend off common borer pests. The Bt was sourced from Monsanto, which already sells Bt corn and Bt cotton seeds in the United States. In the 1990s, Monsanto triggered a huge debate in India by introducing genetically modified cotton.

See what hippies have done to the world? People would rather starve than eat high yield foods.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm a shill for Monsanto because I'm attracted to big, evil corporations.

That doesn't surprise me, Bill.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Why do you hate eggplant?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Why do you hate eggplant?

Why do you hate India?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Why do you hate India?

Because of AJ.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Because of AJ.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

That doesn't surprise me, Bill.

Hippies! Get a clue! I live in a farm community and we fought your kind. You have absolutely no idea what "Genetically Modified" means. Attempts to destroy the agricultural community here failed. You would rather starve Africans, Indians, and the rest of the undeveloped world, rather than take the time to understand what it is you are against. Stupid useless fools are what you are! On this issue, you are completely wrong, and it is a crime against humanity what you and your ilk have done!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I live in a farm community and we fought your kind. You have absolutely no idea what "Genetically Modified" means. Attempts to destroy the agricultural community here failed. You would rather starve Africans, Indians, and the rest of the undeveloped world, rather than take the time to understand what it is you are against. Stupid useless fools are what you are! On this issue, you are completely wrong, and it is a crime against humanity what you and your ilk have done!

There are plenty of farmers who disagree with you, Bill. Corporate farming is a failure, both environmentally and nutritionally.

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Edited February 13, 2010 by Galt's gallstones

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

There are plenty of farmers who disagree with you, Bill. Corporate farming is a failure, both environmentally and nutritionally.

Millions Against Monsanto Campaign

Join OCA's Campaign to Mobilize One Million Consumers to End Monsanto's Global Corporate Terrorism

I don't see a lot "Corporate" farmers around here, just families that have farmed for generations.

[I'm Gone 60]

Are GM eggplants larger, thicker, and longer than ordinary eggplants?

They look like a cow. LOL

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

They look like a cow. LOL

Or, maybe a chicken.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I don't see a lot "Corporate" farmers around here, just families that have farmed for generations.

That's good. I'm not opposed to hybridization, but people often confuse that with genetically modified. They aren't the same thing. As the OP article indicates, Monsanto makes these frankentstein plants by genetically altering them with DNA from other sources. Almost all corn we eat today, for example, is some type of hybridized plant.

[I'm Gone 60]

Or, maybe a chicken.

People in India have a problem with eating chickens too?