Hyderabad:
Andhra Pradesh was the cradle and became a flourishing field for genetically modified Bt cotton. Now the state government's own committee has recommended a moratorium against Bt brinjal, the first genetically modified food crop, proposed to be introduced in the country.
The government is now trying to find out if the people want to eat genetically modified Bt brinjal that will look like any other brinjal except that it has bacterial genes that will produce chemicals meant to make it pest-resistant.
M.K.Sharma, General Manager, Mahyco says, "Bt brinjal is going to increase yield upto 100 per cent. It will reduce pesticide consumption to the extent of 60 per cent specially for shoot borer.''
They say even a state government-appointed committee wants a moratorium on Bt brinjal.
"The committee recommended that we don't need Bt brinjal at this stage. The tests are not adequate and do not prove safety and we need long-term studies.'', says, G.V. Ramanjaneyulu, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture.
Critics of GM crops say there could be serious health risks and caution must be exercised as this is a one-way road and at least 30 genetically modified food crops, including rice, okra, potato and onion are in the pipeline.
If approved Bt brinjal will become the first genetically modified vegetable to be introduced for commercial cultivation and consumption anywhere in the world. Already eight state governments and majority voices at the public hearings held so far have spoken out against Bt brinjal.