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

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[Thanks to T.M. Manjunath for the message below. Also on the subject of Bt brinjal, Aruna Rodrigues writes to me and says "I wish to issue a corrigendum with regard to my reference to Dr Keshav Kranthi (ref my post 65). Dr. Kranthi’s position is as follows: While Dr Kranthi has referred to the available Cry 1 Ac toxin events of cotton not being high dose events for the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera, he has made no statement whatsoever on Bt brinjal Event EE-1. The confusion and error is greatly regretted"...Moderator]

I am T. M. Manjunath (68) and this is my second submission, but on a different topic. I find there has been an overwhelming submissions on Bt-brinjal on various issues and I would like to offer my comments/clarifications on some:

Safety: 
Bt-brinjal has undergone about two dozen prescribed biosafety and environmental tests involving more than 150 scientists from reputed research institutions for 8 to 9 years in India. These tests included allergenicity, toxicity, out-crossing, safety to mammals and other non-target beneficial organisms, agronomic performances, etc.  These data can be viewed at http://www.envfor.nic.in/divisions/csurv/geac/bt_brinjal.html. It is only on being satisfied with the reports and recommendations of the Review Committee on Genetic Engineering (RCGM) and two Expert Committees specially appointed for the purpose (http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Report%20on%20Bt%20brinjal.pdf), was Bt-brinjal approved in October 2009 as safe by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) which is the highest government regulatory body constituted by eminent experts. These members are as much, if not more, responsible and concerned about the safety of humans and the environment as anyone else. Besides, Bt has an impeccable global safety record. In the last 50 years of its extensive use as various spray formulations to control a variety of insect pests all over the world and 16 years in transgenic crops in about 25 countries, it has not caused any scientifically proven ill effect on humans, animals, plants or the environment. The various allegations made against its safety by certain NGOs have been scientifically examined by the regulatory authorities and found to be baseless. It is a pity that they continue their tirade, disregarding the scientific facts. The prevailing moratorium on Bt-brinjal since February 2010 is not scientifically justified, but it has become more a political issue.

‘Super weed?’: 
The brinjal fruit-and-shoot borer (FSB) (Leucinodes orbonalis) is functionally a monophagous pest on brinjal (Solanum melongena). Although it has been reported on a few cultivated Solanum species, it’s occurrence was only incidental and it has not become an economic pest of any of these crops. Further, FSB does not attack any of the wild relatives of S. melongena, for they have been supposed to possess natural resistance and even a few of them have been explored as a genetic source for resistance breeding. So, the allegation that Bt would convert them into ‘super weeds’ has no scientific basis.

Cross pollination: A lot, really a lot,  has been written about the possibility of cross pollination between various species of Solanum and its relatives, both cultivated and wild. I do not understand why there was so much discussion on it in the context of Bt-brinjal. All the wild, weedy and cultivated Solanum mentioned by various authors have been competing and co-existing in nature for decades. If they had the potential to hybridize or to cause any adverse effect on each other or on general biodiversity, it would have occurred long back. Even if it were to occur in future, in what way is Bt gene going to be responsible for it? Bt has no influence on the reproductive behavior of the plants.

Bt imparts only a trait, it is not a cultivar: The action of Bt protein is specific to control FSB. Except for the presence of this deliberately introduced beneficial trait, it has been proved that Bt-brinjal is ‘Substantially Equivalent’ to its non-Bt counterpart in all respects. Thus, Bt gene only contributes to empowering a native variety or hybrid in terms of combating FSB without affecting any of its original attributes such as growth, yield, taste, flavour, genetic vigour, medicinal quality, etc. Further, since Bt gene will be introduced into the selected local varieties or hybrids (as in the case cotton) that are already being cultivated by the farmers, the question of ‘Bt-brinjal’ replacing or disturbing native cultivars or affecting biodiversity does not arise. The Bt gene imparts only an insecticidal trait, it is not a variety by itself as mistaken by some.  
The opponents have been relentlessly projecting as if Bt technology is a monster and Bt  protein a general poison without realizing its host-specificity, safety and benefits. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) is a beneficial soil bacterium with global distribution and its insecticidal property was discovered way back in 1901 in Japan. Volumes of safety data are available on its safety and it has been globally certified as one of safest biopesticides ever. The opponents may try to suppress facts, but cannot alter them. I have answered a number of questions raised on Bt crops, including Bt-brinjal, in my book “Q&A on Bt-cotton in India - Answers to more than 85 questions” (2011) which can be accessed by clicking on:
http://ableindia.in/admin/attachments/reports/reports19_Q%20&%20A%20on%20Bt_cotton_Jan%202011_TM%20Manjunath_6.43MB.pdf. 

The e-mail conference is a very thoughtful idea which provided an excellent platform for exchange of views. My sincere appreciation to all concerned.

Dr. T. M. Manjunath
Consultant in Agri-biotechnology & Integrated Pest Management
‘SUMA’, # 174, G – Block, 9th Cross
Sahakaranagar, 
Bengaluru 560092 
India
e-mail: manjunathtm (at) gmail.com       
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