Bt Brinjal

Bt brinjal is a transgenic brinjal created by inserting a Cry1Ac gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis into brinjal. The insertion of the gene, along with other genetic elements like promoters, terminators and an antibiotic resistance marker gene into the brinjal plant is accomplished using Agrobacterium. The cry gene gives the brinjal plant resistance against lepidopteron insects like the Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) and Fruit Borer (Helicoverpa armigera). When the Bt toxin is ingested by the insect it binds to receptors in the insects midgut and then forms pores, ultimately killing the insect. Monsanto, an American company, has developed the Bt brinjal and it is being marketed in India by Mahyco.


Bt brinjal in India

On 9 February 2010 the government of India officially announced that it needs some more time to release Bt brinjal. Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said that there is no overriding urgency to introduce Bt brinjal in India.

On 17 February 2010, Indian Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday reiterated that the Centre had only imposed a moratorium on the release of transgenic brinjal hybrid, and not a permanent ban. “Until we arrive at a political, scientific and societal consensus, this moratorium will remain”. On the same day the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)-Govt. of India , made it mandatory for companies with any seeds of Bt brinjal to register the details with the government, to ensure none of it is sowed or otherwise gets into the market . In order to effectively enforce the moratorium on Bt brinjal,it was further communicated that the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) shall be responsible to store all the Bt brinjal seeds in India.