BT Brinjal in Sharp Controversy

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee has given the green signal to the country's first genetically modified food commodity. Brinjal that once used to be considered a minor vegetable would be the first in the list of genetic engineering. Since the matter is controversial, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh organized debates around the country. But how would people debate when they have not been made aware of the pros and cons of this Brinjal?

Wearing and Export
Supporters of BT Brinjal say that as BT cotton improved the lot of farmers, this BT Brinjal would also make farmers rich. Those against it argue that cotton is for wearing and export, but Brinjal is to be eaten, and what happens if it proves to be toxic in the long run?
They also say that fiddling with the food chain is a conspiracy by multinational companies and the world's most-loved enemy, the United States, is said to be behind it. The Supreme Court has sought a reply from the government as to why extensive trials were not carried out from the safety viewpoint.

Major Brinjal-Producing Areas
One of the top names in genetic engineering, Pushpamitra Bhargav, himself is against BT Brinjal. The chief ministers of Bihar, Bengal, Orissa (where 60 percent of all Brinjal is produced), Madhya Pradesh, and Chattisgarh have rejected it outright. Karnataka and Gujarat are silent for the moment. The central government is silent on what effect it would have on more than 1,000 varieties of Brinjal. Farmers of Gujarat benefited a lot from BT cotton, but those opposed to it say that production of this new cotton is continuously reducing. The pests to prevent which genetic engineering was done are coming back.
Amid arguments and counterarguments, the biggest question remains unanswered: Why Brinjal? There is neither shortage of Brinjal in the country, nor are its prices shooting up through the roof. Brinjal does not enjoy as much respect in our kitchen that there should be fighting over it. Has Brinjal been chosen because it is the easiest way of entry for BT into India's food chain?

Technique of Genetic Engineering
There is uproar over Brinjal also because those who are supporters of living in harmony with nature are more aware now. The world, which is suffering from results of science flirting with nature in the form of global warming, is not against science, but opposed to science fiddling with natural balance.
The debate will not be meaningful as long as the government does not educate people about the technique of genetic engineering and its benefits.