Neha Saigal again with my response to Dr Rao (Message 51) One of the first issue, I would like to emphasise, based on Dr. John Samuels' report [referenced in Neha's message nr. 29...Moderator], is that the probability of crop-to-wild gene flow depends on the geographic distribution of crops and their wild relatives (Jenczewski et al, 2003). In this context there is a caution being raised on Bt Brinjal in India as it is at least a centre of diversity, if not a centre of origin for brinjal. Brinjal eggplant is 'an often cross-pollinated crop' (Singh, 2009) with up to 70% cross-fertilization (Daunay et al 2001). Chaudhary & Gaur (2009) state that Solanum pollen is sticky, an adaptation which facilitates insect-pollination and, if it becomes insect borne then the pollen may travel kilometres rather than 20 metres, as stated by Dr Rao. To make my other point, I will refer to Norman Ellstrand's paper (Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B, 2003. 358: 1163-1170. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1693201/pdf/12831483.pdf - 180 KB). If a transgenic crop is released in regions where wild relatives grow, we would expect that spontaneous hybridization will occur. Insect-resistance is a beneficial trait to the plant, and therefore, the Bt gene might be expected to spread through the wild population. This also applies to landraces and weedy populations. Regarding the statement made by Dr Rao towards the end of his Message 51: "What would happen if the Bt gene in Bt brinjal gets into a non-Bt brinjal variety? A new Bt brinjal variety without effort or expense", the following applies. Spreading of the Bt transgene into these populations has implications for ecology and agricultural biodiversity. The Bt gene provides a plant with resistance to certain insect pests. This gives the plant a selective advantage that might encourage aggressive growth. Coupled with the strong tendency for these brinjal relatives to sprout where not planted, such GE contaminated plants could become overbearing weeds. In addition, there are concerns regarding possibility of toxic effects on non-target organisms - for example, beneficial insects - raising the risk of effects at the species population level. Traditional cultivars and landraces are considered valuable resources as they may contain traits in their genes (e.g. drought resistance) which may be needed in the future. However, these genetic resources will be compromised if contaminated by GE genes, such as genes from GE Bt brinjal. Concerns regarding the outcrossing of GE crops to local relatives, including GE Bt crop, have been expressed many times in the peer-reviewed literature (e.g. Ellstrand op cit. and Halfhill et al. (2005) Molecular Ecology 14: 3177-3189) for other more widely cultivated crops, but not, as yet, for brinjal. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. It is not clear whether non-GE brinjal will remain uncontaminated, and this risk needs to be evaluated (Andow, 2010). In this regard it is best to adopt the precautionary principle as stated in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety which is the international standard to regulate GMOs. And this is exactly what India did in the case of Bt Brinjal. And finally, I would like to point out that there is something called "choice" and every farmer whether in the developed or developing world should have this "choice". And this becomes especially important for farmers who grow their crops organically, they would not want their fields to be contaminated by the Bt gene and will not share the same sentiment as Mr Rao does in his email. Neha Saigal Sustainable Agriculture Campaigner, Greenpeace India, 60 Wellington Street. Richmond Town, Bangalore India e-mail:neha.saigal (at) greenpeace.org [To contribute to this conference, send your message to [log in to unmask] For further information on this FAO Biotechnology Forum, see http://www.fao.org/biotech/biotech-forum/] ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the Biotech-Room2-L list, click the following link: https://listserv.fao.org/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=Biotech-Room2-L&A=1