View source for Biology:Genetically modified brinjal

{{Short description|Variety of brinjal}}
{{Copy edit|for=capitalisation|date=November 2023}}
The '''genetically modified brinjal''' is a suite of transgenic brinjals (also known as eggplant or aubergine) created by inserting a crystal protein gene (''[[Biology:Cry1Ac|Cry1Ac]]'') from the soil [[Biology:Bacterium|bacterium]] ''[[Biology:Bacillus thuringiensis|Bacillus thuringiensis]]'' into the [[Biology:Genome|genome]] of various brinjal [[Biology:Cultivar|cultivar]]s. The insertion of the gene, along with other genetic elements such as promoters, [[Biology:Terminator (genetics)|terminators]] and an [[Biology:Antimicrobial resistance|antibiotic resistance]] marker gene into the brinjal plant is accomplished using ''[[Biology:Agrobacterium|Agrobacterium]]''-mediated genetic transformation. The Bt brinjal has been developed to give resistance against [[Biology:Lepidoptera|lepidopteron]] insects, in particular, the Brinjal Fruit and Shoot Borer (''[[Biology:Leucinodes orbonalis|Leucinodes orbonalis]]'')(FSB) by forming pores in the digestive system.<ref>http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public.../Bt%20Brinjal%20Primer.pdf{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Mahyco, an Indian seed company based in Jalna, Maharashtra, has developed the Bt brinjal.<ref name="Medakker-Vijayaraghavan" />

The genetically modified brinjal event is termed Event EE 1, and Mahyco has also applied for approval of two brinjal hybrids. Event EE 1 was introduced by plant breeding into various local varieties by University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Some of the cultivars of Brinjal include Malpur local, Manjari gota, Kudachi local, Udupi local, 112 GO, and Pabkavi local.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://m.indiatoday.in/itwapsite/story?sid=86093&secid=4 |title=Bt brinjal developers violated laws |publisher= Indiatoday.in |date= 28 February 2010 |access-date= 2011-01-01}}</ref> It was approved for commercialization in India in 2009, but - after an apparent public outcry and rounds of debates in which representatives from Mahyco, the scientific community, and NGO's spoke on the topic - the then Indian Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh, facilitated a [[Social:Moratorium (law)|moratorium]] on its release until further, unspecified, tests were conducted. Bt brinjal was approved for commercial release in Bangladesh in 2013.

By 2021 it was cultivated by nearly 65,000 farmers with nearly 6x increase in net returns, with around 20% of farmers using seeds from previous seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GMO eggplant is documented win for resource-poor farmers|url=https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2021/09/gmo-eggplant-is-documented-win-for-resource-poor-farmers/|access-date=2021-09-28|website=Alliance for Science|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Development==

Mahyco licensed and used the ''cry1Ac'' gene obtained from Monsanto<ref name="Medakker-Vijayaraghavan" /> and two supporting genes (''nptII'' and ''aad''). The ''cry1Ac'' gene is under the transcriptional control of an enhanced [[Biology:Cauliflower mosaic virus|cauliflower mosaic virus]] 35S (CaMV35S) promoter, which ensures the gene is expressed in all the brinjal's tissue throughout its complete [[Biology:Biological life cycle|life cycle]]. ''NptII'' and ''aad'' are selectable marker genes, ''nptII'' is used to identify transgenic plants from non-transgenic, and ''aad'' is used to identify the [[Biology:Genetically modified bacteria|transformed bacteria]] used during the development of the construct. ''Aad'' contains a bacterial promoter and is not expressed in the Bt brinjal. The completed [[Biology:DNA construct|construct]] was inserted into young cotyledons from the brinjal plants using an ''Agrobacterium''-mediated technique. ''Agrobacterium'' naturally inserts DNA into plants from its [[Biology:Ti plasmid|Ti plasmid]], and scientists use this to insert genes of interest into various plants. The transformed plants were regenerated and analyzed for the presence of the gene through Southern blotting. The plants' [[Biology:Offspring|progeny]] were also analyzed to identify [[Biology:Lineage (evolution)|lines]] segregating in a [[Biology:Mendelian inheritance|Mendelian fashion]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=The development and regulation of Bt brinjal in India (Eggplant/Aubergine) |author1=B Choudhary |author2=K Gaur |journal= ISAAA Briefs |year=2008 |url= http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/isaaa-brief-38-2009.pdf |pages=42–43}}</ref>

==Attempted commercialization in India==

The first agreement to develop Bt Brinjal was signed in 2005<ref>[http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/whose-germplasm-it Down To Earth: Whose germplasm is it?]</ref> between India's leading seed company, Maharashtra Hybrid Company, better known as Mahyco, and two agricultural universities - University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (UAS)<ref name="Medakker-Vijayaraghavan" /> and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)<ref name="Medakker-Vijayaraghavan" /> in Coimbatore.

An expert committee (EC-I) was set up in 2006 to examine the [[Biology:Biosafety|biosafety]] data presented by Mahyco. They concluded that while the current data demonstrated that Bt brinjal was safe and equivalent to its non-Bt counterpart, more studies were required to re-affirm the findings, and further trials were needed to ascertain the benefits from Bt brinjal with respect to existing methods for pest management and pesticide reduction. They recommended that large-scale trials be allowed to go ahead. In 2009, a second expert committee (EC-II) examined the data from these trials. They concluded that adequate safety tests had been performed, stating that "the benefits of Bt brinjal event EE-I developed by M/s Mahyco far outweigh the perceived and projected risks", and advised the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) to recommend commercialization of the Bt brinjal.<ref name="ECII">{{citation |title=Report of the Expert Committee (EC-II) on Bt Brinjal Event EE-1 |website=Ministry of Environment and Forests |date=October 8, 2009 |url= http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Report%20on%20Bt%20brinjal.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923033835/http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/Report%20on%20Bt%20brinjal.pdf |archive-date=2010-09-23}}</ref>

The GEAC cleared Bt brinjal for commercialization on 14 October 2009. Following concerns raised by some scientists, farmers and anti-GMO activists, the government of India officially announced on 9 February 2010 that it needed more time before releasing Bt brinjal, with Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh saying that there is no overriding urgency to introduce Bt brinjal in India.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |title= India puts on hold first GM food crop on safety grounds |date= 9 February 2010 |publisher= BBC |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8506047.stm |access-date= 9 February 2010}}</ref><ref name="toi">{{cite news |url= http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-09/india/28134893_1_bt-brinjal-series-of-public-consultations-time-independent-scientific-studies|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110811035602/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-09/india/28134893_1_bt-brinjal-series-of-public-consultations-time-independent-scientific-studies|archive-date= 11 August 2011|title=Govt says no to Bt brinjal for now |date=9 February 2010 |work= The Times of India |access-date= 9 February 2010}}</ref> On 17 February 2010, Jairam Ramesh reiterated that the centre had only imposed a moratorium on the release of transgenic brinjal hybrid, and not a permanent ban, saying that "until we arrive at a political, scientific and societal consensus, this moratorium will remain". Companies with any seeds of Bt brinjal will have to register the details with the government, and the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) was made responsible for the storage of all the Bt brinjal seeds in India. Independent testing labs are currently being set up.<ref>{{cite news|title=Genetic Engineering Panel to enforce Bt brinjal ban|author=Kalpana Jain|date=18 February 2010|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/genetic-engineering-panel-to-enforce-bt-brinjal-ban/386078/|work=Business Standard}}</ref>

An irregularity<ref>[http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/whose-germplasm-it Down To Earth: Bt Brinjal]</ref> was also brought to the notice of the Karnataka Biodiversity Board by Environment Support Group, a charitable trust in Bengaluru, in February 2010. It found that agencies accessed at least 10 brinjal varieties from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu without seeking prior consent of the [[Organization:National Biodiversity Authority|National Biodiversity Authority]] and state biodiversity boards. Mahyco became India's first commercial entity to be accused of bio-piracy, or misappropriation, of local germplasm.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/whose-germplasm-it|title = Whose germplasm is it?}}</ref> {{update inline|date=January 2016}} In October 2013, the Indian High Court was pursuing criminal proceedings against senior officials of Mahyco-Monsanto.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Vn|first1=Sreeja|title=Indian High Court Reinstates Criminal Proceedings Against Monsanto And Its Partners in India's First Case of Bio-Piracy|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/indian-high-court-reinstates-criminal-proceedings-against-monsanto-its-partners-1431534|access-date=8 June 2016|work=International Business Times|date=18 October 2013}}</ref>
In June 2019 1,500 farmers gathered in India to protest and illegally plant GMO Brinjal seeds.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2019/06/indian-farmers-plant-gmo-seeds-civil-disobedience-satyagraha-protest/  |title= Indian farmers plant GMO seeds in civil disobedience 'satyagraha' protest | location=Maharashtra, India|work=Cornell Alliance For Science}}</ref>

==Commercial cultivation in Bangladesh==
On 30 October 2013 with approvals from the ministries of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and Agriculture (MoA), the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) received permission to release four varieties of Bt brinjal in time for the 2013–2014 growing season: Bt Uttara, Bt Kajla, Bt Nayantara, and Bt ISD006.<ref>Choudhary B et al 2014. [https://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/47/download/isaaa-brief-47-2014.pdf  The Status of Commercialized Bt Brinjal in Bangladesh]. ISAAA Brief No. 47. Ithaca NY</ref> The Bt varieties underwent seven years of field and greenhouse trials in various environmental and geographic locations in Bangladesh<ref name="thedailystar.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/online/cultivation-of-bt-brinjal-begins-7971 |title=Cultivation of Bt Brinjal begins |access-date=2014-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408232122/http://www.thedailystar.net/online/cultivation-of-bt-brinjal-begins-7971 |archive-date=8 April 2014}}</ref>{{rp|4}}

Saplings were distributed to 20 farmers in January 2014<ref name="thedailystar.net"/> {{wipe|The Guardian}} spoke to 19 of 20 farmers growing the Bt brinjal crop in 2014 and established that it has so far had mixed results.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Muir|first1=Hugh|title=Bangladeshi farmers caught in row over $600,000 GM aubergine trial|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jun/05/gm-crop-bangladesh-bt-brinjal|access-date=10 June 2016|work=The Guardian|date=5 June 2014|ref=guardian-muir}}</ref> In September 2016 the Indian Business Standard quoted a Director of the Bangladesh Department of Environment who said that production results had been very good from the 200-300 farmers who had grown the bt brinjal since 2013 but it was too early to judge whether there had been any contamination of wild brinjal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/bt-brinjal-in-bangladesh-too-early-to-draw-conclusions-on-contamination-says-expert-116090701455_1.html|title=Bt Brinjal in Bangladesh: Too early to draw conclusions on contamination, says expert|last=IANS|date=2016-09-07|newspaper=Business Standard India|access-date=2016-11-30}}</ref>

In 2017 6,512 farmers grew BT Brinjal and 27,012 in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2018/07/bt-eggplant-improving-lives-bangladesh|title=Bt eggplant improving lives in Bangladesh|website=Cornell Chronicle|language=en|access-date=2019-06-22}}</ref> A 2019 report<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/science/gm-brinjals-are-helping-bangladesh-farmers-earn-more-save-more-study-finds/296662/|title=GM brinjals are helping Bangladesh farmers earn more, save more, study finds|date=25 September 2019}}</ref> found that as a result of growing BT Brinjal there was a 39% reduction in the use of pesticides and the yield of BT Brinjal was also 43% higher. With reduced costs of pesticides and increased yield, profit of farmers increased by nearly $400 per hectare.

A 2020 report<ref name="Shelton-et-al-2020">{{Cite journal|title=Impact of Bt Brinjal Cultivation in the Market Value Chain in Five Districts of Bangladesh|year=2020|doi=10.3389/fbioe.2020.00498|last1=Shelton|first1=Anthony M.|last2=Sarwer|first2=Sayed H.|last3=Hossain|first3=Md. J.|last4=Brookes|first4=Graham|last5=Paranjape|first5=Vijay|journal=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology|volume=8|page=498|pmid=32528942|pmc=7263058|s2cid=218871562|doi-access=free}}</ref> found that farmers have achieved significantly higher yields and revenues by growing BT brinjal. The four Bt brinjal varieties yielded on average 19.6 percent more than non-Bt varieties and earned growers 21.7 percent higher revenue. 83.1% of Bt brinjal growers were satisfied with the yields obtained and 80.6% were satisfied with the quality of fruit, compared to just 58.7% of non-Bt brinjal growers who were pleased with their yields.<ref name="Shelton-et-al-2020" /> Several other trials have produced similarly positive results, and a few in areas with high pest pressure achieved multiplication of yield several times without the need for further [[Biology:Insecticide|insecticide]] inputs.<ref name="Shelton-et-al-2019">{{cite journal | last1=Shelton | first1=Anthony M. | last2=Hossain | first2=Muhammad J. | last3=Paranjape | first3=Vijay | last4=Prodhan | first4=Muhammad Z.H. | last5=Azad | first5=Abul K. | last6=Majumder | first6=Rituparna | last7=Sarwer | first7=Sayed H. | last8=Hossain | first8=Muhammad A. | title=Bt Brinjal in Bangladesh: The First Genetically Engineered Food Crop in a Developing Country | journal=Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology | publisher=[[Organization:Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory|Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory]] | volume=11 | issue=10 | date=2019-06-10 | issn=1943-0264 | doi=10.1101/cshperspect.a034678|pmc=6771371  | page=a034678| pmid=31182544 }}</ref>

At the 2020 AAAS it was announced that over 31,000 farmers in Bangladesh are now growing BT brinjal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2020/02/cornell-scientists-amplify-green-research-aaas|title=Cornell scientists amplify 'green' research at AAAS|website=Cornell University}}</ref>

A [[Randomized controlled trial|randomized controlled trial]] performed between 2017 and 2018 found that BT brinjal increased net yields by 51%. Bt brinjal farmers used smaller quantities of pesticides and sprayed less frequently. BT brinjal reduced the toxicity of pesticides by as much as 76%. Farmers growing BT brinjal and who had pre‐existing chronic conditions consistent with pesticide poisoning were 11.5% points less likely to report a symptom of pesticide poisoning.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ahmed |first1=Akhter U. |last2=Hoddinott |first2=John |last3=Abedin |first3=Naveen |last4=Hossain |first4=Nusrat |title=The Impacts of GM Foods: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Bt Eggplant in Bangladesh |journal=American Journal of Agricultural Economics |date=13 November 2020 |volume=103 |issue=4 |pages=1186–1206 |doi=10.1111/ajae.12162|doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Philippines==
Scientists from the University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB) are currently developing a version of GM Brinjal.
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.isaaa.org/blog/entry/default.asp?BlogDate=2/6/2020 |title=Filipino Farmers' Clamor for Bt Eggplant Revealed in SEARCA BIC's Video Series|website=International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications}}</ref>

In the July 2021 the Philippine Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry approved GM Brinjal for 'direct use as food, feed, or for processing'.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.isaaa.org/blog/entry/default.asp?BlogDate=7/23/2021 | title=Philippines Approves Bt Eggplant for Direct Use as Food, Feed, or for Processing|website=International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications}}</ref><ref name="Phil-approve">{{cite web | last=Palicte | first=Che | title=PH approves Bt eggplant's use for food, feeds | website=Philippine News Agency | date=2021-07-24 | url=http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1148086 | access-date=2021-07-27}}</ref>

In October 2022 the Philippine government approved the commercial growing of GM Brinjal (Eggplant).<ref name="Phil">{{cite web | access-date=2022-10-25 | year=2022 | website=University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Agriculture and Food Science (UPLB CAFS) | url=https://cafs.uplb.edu.ph/bt_news/philippine-govt-approves-bt-eggplant-for-commercial-cultivation/ | title=Philippine govt approves Bt Eggplant for commercial cultivation}}</ref>

==Controversy==
[[File:BT Brinjal Protest Bangalore India.JPG|thumb|left|alt=A photograph showing a variety of brinjal cultivars|Many cultivars of eggplants displayed by protesters on the steps during the Feb. 2010 listening tour by India's environmental minister relating to BT Brinjal, in Bangalore, India]]
Many [[Philosophy:Genetically modified food controversies|controversies]] surround the development and release of [[Biology:Genetically modified food|genetically modified food]]s, ranging from human safety and environmental impacts to ethical concerns such as corporate control of the food supply and [[Social:Intellectual property|intellectual property]] rights. The brinjal is an important food crop for India, and the potential commercialization of a genetically modified variety has drawn support and criticism. Although it is a major food crop in India, brinjal production is relatively low with fruit and shoot borer infestation a major constraint to [[Earth:Crop yield|yield]].<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Ghosh, S. K. |author2=Laskar, N. |author3=Senapati, S. K. |year=2003|title=Estimation of loss in yield of brinjal due to pest complex under Terai region of West Bengal|journal=Environ. Ecol.|volume=21|pages=764–769}}</ref> Proponents of the technology believe the Bt brinjal will have positive effects for the Indian economy and the health of the farmers. Field trials conducted on research-managed farms carried out by Mahyco and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research suggested a 42% [[Biology:Pesticide|pesticide]] reduction and a doubling of the yield was possible.<ref name = "Krishnaa">{{cite journal|journal=Agricultural Economics|year=2008|pages=167–180|title=Potential impacts of Bt eggplant on economic surplus and farmers'health in India|author1=Vijesh V. Krishnaa |author2=Matin Qaim  |name-list-style=amp }}</ref> The economic gain for consumers, developers and farmers was estimated to potentially be US$108 million per year with an additional $3–4 million saved due to health benefits associated with decreased pesticide use.<ref name="Krishnaa"/><ref>Kumar, Sant Prasanna, P.A. Lakshmi and Wankhade, Shwetal (19 July 2011) [http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/handle/109420 Potential Benefits of Bt Brinjal in India — An Economic Assessment] Agricultural Economics Research Review; Vol. 24 January–June 2011 pp 83-90, Retrieved 25 November 2012</ref>

A French scientist notable for his anti-GM perspective,<ref>Staff (20 October 2012) [https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j8XJ6iUXuJDzCEBqOGaOgE44PdMg?docId=CNG.bbc3cf4e096e4108d90e426d850d8acf.b91 Six French academies dismiss study linking GM corn to cancer] Agence France-Presse, "Seralini is a well-known opponent of GM crops, and his research was funded in part by an alliance comprising anti-GM campaigners and supermarket chains that have invested heavily in organic food." (The same article was also published in several other places such as France24, Phys.Org and The Australian.) Retrieved 23 October 2012 {{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j8XJ6iUXuJDzCEBqOGaOgE44PdMg?docId=CNG.bbc3cf4e096e4108d90e426d850d8acf.b91 |title=AFP: Six French academies dismiss study linking GM corn to cancer |access-date=2016-11-10 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220065556/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j8XJ6iUXuJDzCEBqOGaOgE44PdMg?docId=CNG.bbc3cf4e096e4108d90e426d850d8acf.b91 |archive-date=20 February 2014}}</ref> Gilles-Eric Seralini, raised concerns about some of the differences between feeding trials using the genetically modified and unmodified brinjal, and criticized some of the testing protocols.<ref>{{cite web|author=Serallini Gilles-Eric|title=Effects on health and environment of transgenic (or GM) Bt brinjal.|publisher=Biosafety Information Centre|year=2009|url=http://www.biosafetyinfo.net/article.php?aid=556}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The EC-II responded to the concerns raised by Seralini and other scientists in their report,<ref name="ECII"/> New Zealand epidemiologist Lou Gallagher also criticised the feeding trials saying that the raw data indicated toxic effects were associated with the rats fed Bt Brinjal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/126821/India/bt-brinjal-can-damage-liver-&-hit-immunity-of-a-human-being..html |title=Bt brinjal can damage liver, hit immunity: Study |publisher=India Today |date=17 January 2011 |access-date=2011-01-17}}</ref> Concerns have also been raised about a possible [[Philosophy:Conflict of interest|conflict of interest]], with some of the scientists appointed to the GEAC being involved in developing their own GM products, that the decision by the EC-II was not unanimous, and about the reliability of safety data originating from Mahcyo run trials.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Indian J Med Ethics|year=2010|volume=7|number=1|title=Should the Bt Brinjal controversy concern healthcare professionals and bioethicists?|author=Sridevi Seetharam|url=http://www.ijme.in/181co9.html}}</ref> The imposed moratorium has been criticized by some scientists as not being based on any compelling scientific evidence and potentially setting Indian [[Engineering:Biotechnology|biotechnology]] back decades.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Current Science|volume=98|number=8|date=25 April 2010|title=Setback to Bt brinjal will have long-term effect on Indian science and technology|author=Shanthu Shantharam|url=http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/25apr2010/996.pdf}}</ref> Others feel the critical issue is not the safety of the GM technology, but its [[Finance:Corporatization|corporatization]]<ref>{{cite journal|title=Bt Brinjal: Need to Refocus the Debate|author1=Prabir Purkayastha |author2=Satyajit Rath |date=15 May 2010|volume=14|number=20|journal=Economic & Political Weekly|url=http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/Bt%20Brinjal_0.pdf}}</ref> and there are claims that India's crop protection industry was a major player in preventing the commercialization of the Bt brinjal.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=New Biotechnology|volume=27|date=May 2010|title=The costly benefits of opposing agricultural biotechnology|author=Andrew Apel|issue=5|doi=10.1016/j.nbt.2010.05.006|pages=635–640|pmid=20472105|doi-access=}}</ref> India's National Biodiversity Authority is probing the crop scientists involved in developing the Bt brinjal for allegedly violating India's [[Biology:Biological Diversity Act, 2002|Biological Diversity Act, 2002]] by using local cultivars and foreign technology without their permission.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100302/jsp/nation/story_12165512.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025215208/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100302/jsp/nation/story_12165512.jsp |archive-date=25 October 2012 |title=Glare on brinjal genetic study |publisher=Telegraph India |date=2 March 2010 |access-date=2011-01-01 |location=Calcutta, India}}</ref>
The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture on 9 August 2012 asked the Government to stop all field trials and sought a ban on GM food crops like Bt brinjal. It also sought a "thorough probe" as to how permission was given to commercialise Bt brinjal seed when all evaluation tests were not carried out. The report of the committee was tabled a day after the Maharashtra government canceled Mahyco's license to sell its Bt cotton seeds.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3747247.ece  |title= Bar GM food crops, says parliamentary panel|date=10 August 2012 | location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|first=Gargi|last=Parsai}}</ref>

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="Medakker-Vijayaraghavan">{{cite web|url=http://ipmall.law.unh.edu/sites/default/files/hosted_resources/IP_handbook/ch17/ipHandbook-Ch%2017%2025%20Medakker-Vijayaraghavan%20Eggplants%20in%20India.pdf|publisher=IP Mall Franklin Pierce School of Law - [[Organization:University of New Hampshire|University of New Hampshire]]|last1=Medakker|first1=Akshat|last2=Vijayaraghavan|first2=Kannan|date=2007|title=Successful Commercialization of Insect-Resistant Eggplant by a Public–Private Partnership: Reaching and Benefiting Resource-Poor Farmers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210070909/http://ipmall.law.unh.edu/sites/default/files/hosted_resources/IP_handbook/ch17/ipHandbook-Ch%2017%2025%20Medakker-Vijayaraghavan%20Eggplants%20in%20India.pdf|archive-date=2017-12-10}}</ref>
}}

== See also ==
* Bt cotton

{{Genetic engineering}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bt Brinjal}}
[[Category:Eggplants]]

{{Sourceattribution|Genetically modified brinjal}}