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Moderated conference on GMOs in the pipeline, hosted by the FAO Biotechnology Forum in 2012

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Biotech-Mod2 <[log in to unmask]>
Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:41:54 +0100
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This is from Prof. P. Balasubramanian. I am an agricultural scientist working on GM crops meant for resource-poor farmers of India.

This is in response to Neha Saigal (Message 23). Neha states that "David Andow, scientist from the United States, has done a detailed product (sic) on how Bt Brinjal was a bad product." Here are my arguments against those of Dr. Andow's (which are in quotation markers). [The reference/link to this document by David Andow was provided in Message 23...Moderator].

"The EE-1 transgene may be a second-rate Bt brinjal product" [See end of message for explanation of EE-1...Moderator].
- The laboratory and field trials have demonstrated that the expression of Bt in EE-1 effectively controlled the target pest, Brinjal fruit and shoot borer (BFSB) (data submitted to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), Government of India).
- Early versions of Bt cotton or Bt maize carried only one Bt gene. However, the recently commercialised Bt cotton or Bt maize possess additional cry genes and they were included to broaden the spectrum of resistance as these crops are attacked more than one major target pest. In case Bt brinjal, BFSB is the major target pest.

"Possible environmental risks to biodiversity"
- Agriculture is the first and foremost risk to biodiversity. However, currently commercialized GM crops have reduced the impacts of agriculture on biodiversity and increased yields to alleviate pressure to convert additional land into agricultural use (Carpenter 2011). 
- In Bt brinjal, the insecticides used against BFSB was reduced by 80%, (Krishna and Qaim, 2008). 
- Bt crops promote arthropod biodiversity and biological control compared to other management tactics (Naranjo 2009; Lu et al. 2012; Marvier et al 2007)
- Bt crops can be a useful component of integrated pest management (IPM) systems to protect the crop from target pests (Yu et al., 2011)
- The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA 2000) examined all published reports and concluded that Bt soils had no effect on total biomass, bacteria, actinomyces, fungi, protozoa or nematodes and the C/N ratio.

"Economics of Bt brinjal cultivation"
Bt brinjal (hybrid/varieties) is expected to provide two types of benefits to the producers (higher yield due to reduction in damage from FSB infestation; reduction in cost due to savings in insecticides-use to control FSB)
- Krishna and Qaim (2008) based on Bt brinjal field trial data reported that the technology can significantly reduce insecticide applications and increase effective yields. 
- Kathage and Qaim (2012) based on the data collected between 2002 and 2008 reported that Bt cotton hybrids caused a 24% increase in Indian cotton yield per acre through reduced pest damage and a 50% gain in cotton profit among smallholders

"Evolution of resistance in insects"
The insect resistance management (IRM) strategy for Bt brinjal was developed by a team of experts based on science and an understanding of the insect and brinjal cropping system. This strategy will delay the resistance development.

"Effect on human health"
Bt protein expressed in crops is unlikely to affect human or animal health.   
- There is a 40-year history of safe use and consumption of foods sprayed with commercial Bt microbial pesticide products (Lemaux, 2008). 
- A 15-year history of safe consumption of food and feed derived from Bt crops
 
Moreover, the arguments  expressed by Dr. Andow's (Andow, 2010) are but his personal views (vide inside cover of the book in question; İDavid A. Andow, August 2010) on Bt brinjal which appear to have never been peer-reviewed nor validated by proper experiments. The brochure was apparently promoted and published by Ms. Aruna Rodriguez herself.
 
Prof. P. Balasubramanian, PhD, 
Department of Plant Biotechnology, 
Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, 
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, 
Coimbatore 641 003 
India; 
Phone: +91-422-6611353 (work); 
Mobile: +91 9443506085; 
Primary/Reply to email: balasubrap (at) hotmail.com 
Alternate/Secondary email: balasubramanian.ponnuswami (at) gmail.com 

References
- Andow DA. 2010. Bt Brinjal Event EE1. Bt Brinjal: The scope and adequacy of the GEAC Environmental risk assessment. Sunray Harvesters, Bungalow 69, Mhow Cantt. MP 453 441, India.
- Carpenter JE. 2011. Impact of GM crops on biodiversity. GM Crops, 2(1):7-23.
- Kathage, J. and M. Qaim. 2012. Economic impacts and impact dynamics of Bt cotton in India. PNAS. Doi/10.1073/pnas.1203647109.
- Krishan VV and Qaim M. 2008. Potential impacts of Bt eggplant on economic surplus and farmers' health in India. Agriculatural Economics, 38: 167-180
- Lemaux PG. 2008. Genetically engineered plants and foods: A scientist's analysis of the issues (Part I). Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 2008. 59:771-812
- Lu, Y., K. Wu, Y. Jiang, Y. Guo and N. Desneux. 2012. Widespread adoption of Bt cotton and insecticide decrease promotes biocontrol services. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature11153.
- Marvier M, McCreedy C, Regetz J, Kareiva P. A meta-analysis of effects of Bt cotton and maize on nontarget invertebrates. Science 2007;316:1475-7.
- Naranjo, S. E. 2009. Impacts of Bt crops on non-target organisms and insecticide use patterns. CAB Reviews: Perspect. Agric., Vet. Sci., Nutrit. Nat. Resour 4:No.011. doi: 10.1079/PAVSNNR20094011.
- US EPA, Off. Pestic. Programs, Biopesticides Pollut. Prev. Div. 2000. Biopesticides registration document; preliminary risks and benefits sections; Bacillus thuringiensis plantpesticides. Washington, DC: US EPA.
- Yu HL, Ly YH, Wu KM. 2011.  Risk assessment and ecological effects of transgenic Bt crops on non-target organisms. J Integr Plant Biol., 53: 520-538
- Also, Dr. Tony Shelton's response to Dr. Andow is available at this link: http://speedy.sh/xbZ9F/Response-to-Andow-by-Tony.pdf

[Regarding EE-1, mentioned at the beginning of the message: "Bt Brinjal is the first Genetically Modified food crop in India that has reached the approval stage for commercialization.Bt Brinjal has been developed by inserting a gene cry1Ac from a soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis through an Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. It is a genetically modified brinjal developed by the Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company Ltd. (Mahyco), a leading Indian seed company. Bt Brinjal event EE1 has been developed in a Public Private Partnership mode under the aegis of the Agriculture Biotechnology Support Project from Cornell University where the Bt technology available with M/s Mahyco has been transferred (free of cost) to Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad and the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi". From a booklet prepared in 2010 for public consulations on Bt brinjal called by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Bt%20Brinjal%20Primer.pdf)...Moderator]. 

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