Genetically modified brinjal facts for kids

The genetically modified brinjal is a special type of brinjal (also called eggplant or aubergine) that has been changed using science. Scientists added a gene from a soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis (often shortened to Bt) into the brinjal plant. This gene helps the brinjal plant protect itself from certain insects, especially the Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer (FSB). The Bt gene makes a protein that is harmful to these insects when they try to eat the plant, but it's safe for humans and other animals.

This special brinjal was developed by Mahyco, a seed company in India. It was approved for sale in India in 2009, but the government decided to put a hold on it after some public discussions. However, Bt brinjal was approved and started being grown in Bangladesh in 2013. By 2021, many farmers in Bangladesh were growing it, and they saw much higher profits.

How Bt Brinjal Was Developed

Scientists at Mahyco used a gene called cry1Ac from the Bt bacterium. This gene is like a blueprint for making the special protein that fights insects. They also used two other genes, nptII and aad, which help scientists find the plants that successfully received the new genes.

To put these genes into the brinjal plant, scientists used a natural helper: a bacterium called Agrobacterium. This bacterium naturally puts its own DNA into plants. Scientists learned how to use Agrobacterium to carry the desired Bt gene into young brinjal plants instead.

After the genes were inserted, scientists grew the brinjal plants and checked their next generations to make sure the new gene was passed down correctly. This careful process ensures that the Bt brinjal plants have the insect-fighting ability.

Why India Put Bt Brinjal on Hold

The first steps to create Bt brinjal began in 2005, with Mahyco working with two agricultural universities in India.

In 2006, a group of experts looked at the safety information provided by Mahyco. They thought Bt brinjal seemed safe, but they wanted more tests to be sure. They also wanted to see if it really helped farmers reduce pesticide use.

By 2009, another expert group reviewed more test results. They decided that enough safety tests had been done and that the benefits of Bt brinjal were greater than any possible risks. They suggested that the government allow it to be sold.

However, after some scientists, farmers, and groups against genetically modified organisms (GMOs) raised concerns, the Indian government decided to pause the release of Bt brinjal in February 2010. The Environment Minister at the time, Jairam Ramesh, said they needed more time to reach an agreement among scientists, the public, and politicians. This pause is called a moratorium, meaning it's not a permanent ban, but a temporary hold.

There were also some concerns about how Mahyco had used local varieties of brinjal from different parts of India without getting official permission from certain biodiversity groups.

Growing Bt Brinjal in Bangladesh

In October 2013, Bangladesh gave permission for four types of Bt brinjal to be grown. These varieties had been tested for seven years in different parts of Bangladesh.

In January 2014, young Bt brinjal plants were given to 20 farmers. At first, the results were mixed for these few farmers. However, over time, more and more farmers started growing it.

By 2017, over 6,500 farmers were growing Bt brinjal, and by 2018, that number jumped to over 27,000!

A report in 2019 showed that growing Bt brinjal helped farmers a lot:

• They used 39% less pesticides.
• Their brinjal harvest was 43% bigger.
• Because of lower pesticide costs and bigger harvests, farmers earned almost $400 more per hectare (a measure of land).

Another report in 2020 confirmed that farmers growing Bt brinjal had much higher yields and earned more money. They were also more satisfied with their harvests and the quality of the fruit. In areas where insects were a big problem, Bt brinjal helped increase the harvest many times over, without needing extra pesticides.

At a big science meeting in 2020, it was announced that over 31,000 farmers in Bangladesh were growing Bt brinjal. Studies also found that Bt brinjal farmers used fewer pesticides, sprayed less often, and were less likely to report symptoms of pesticide poisoning.

Bt Brinjal in the Philippines

Scientists at the University of the Philippines Los Baños are also working on their own version of GM brinjal.

In July 2021, the Philippine government approved GM brinjal for use as food, animal feed, or for processing. Then, in October 2022, they approved it for commercial growing by farmers.