Summary of Current Science Articles from Volumes 2010 to 2012 related to Bt Technology 1.

The Biotechnology of Bt and its Environmental Impact by Akshaya K. Biswal, S. M. Balachandran, A.P. Padmakumari, M. Mohan, B.C.Viraktamath, Directorate of Rice Research, Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad Summary: This paper evolved from the 7th Pacific Rim Conference on The Biotechnology of Bt and its Environmental Impact jointly organized by ICAR and DBT at National Agriculture Science Complex, Delhi. It is about the contribution of Bt Crystal Protein to the Environment which leads to the development of successful GM crop like Bt Cotton approved by GEAC. There are three technical sessions chaired over by various scientists and discussed about the impact of Bt genes. The panellist and participants were more concerned about the delay in regulatory approvals of GM Crops and need to convince the anti GMO activist in deployment of GM Crops

2. Bt Brinjal and GM Crops: towards a reasonable policy ahead by Debashis Banerji Summary: Release of Bt Brinjal has become a controversial decision. Many scientist and politicians consider it as a setback to advances in agricultural biotechnology and to the attainment of food security. Hence to look for the way ahead in the context of release of Bt Brinjal and GM crops by r-DNA and GE. Bt Brinjal primary transformant incorporated the Bt genes which is produced by Mahyco and gist of this technology can be helpful in evaluating the pros and cons of introduction of Bt Brinjal and other GM crops. The main issue in transfer of transgene from the primary transformant to a hybrid or variety is the choice of acceptor which is accomplished by conventional plant breeding. GM crop production is an expensive enterprise and and any strategy must ensure money back guarantee. Therefore to attract farmers high yielding hybrid lines have been used as acceptors for back crossing. Hence R & D efforts on GM foods are based on principles of bioethics, biosafety, biodiversity conservation, and biopartnerships, without which there will be serious public concern about the nutritional, social, ecological, and economic consequences in India and all developing countries.

3. The Bt Brinjal - Biodiversity issue by J. SAMUELS, G. SHANMUGAM Summary: On-going biodiversity concerns include the effects of Bt toxins on non-target invertebrates6 as well as transgene transfer to brinjal wild relatives7. Yadugiri provides a useful review of the Bt brinjal debate which could help to provide the safety of this transgenic form. Historically, there have been many problems with the identification and synonymy of wild species related to brinjal and a taxonomic review is urgently needed. To date, there has been no thorough study of interfertility between untransformed brinjal and its closest wild relatives in South Asia, let alone detailed studies of hybridization between Bt brinjal and its close relatives, native or introduced.At the Tenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP10) in Japan in October 2010, a new ten-year strategic plan with 20 targets was constructed. Target 9 relates to preventing the introduction of invasive species, and target 13 is geared to conserving the genetic diversity of crops and their wild relatives10. In accordance with the COP10 guidance and while the moratorium continues, it seems prudent to encourage careful and thorough environmental monitoring. After the accumulation and balanced interpretation of unbiased scientific data, healthy debate can take place.

4. Bt Brinjal wild relatives and Biodiversity by JOHN SAMUELS

Summary: This paper relates to the release of transgenic crops such as Bt brinjal and concern was highlighted by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Independent Expert Committee on Bt Brinjal expressed concerns over the possibility of cross transfer of genes from the GM crop to its wild relatives via hybridization. A precautionary approach towards developing this crop variant was therefore recommended While conferring additional pest resistance upon wild relatives, these genes might also induce a selective advantage, encouraging such plants to become overbearing weeds with negative effects on ecological balance and biodiversity. After a moratorium on the commercialization of Bt brinjal was imposed in India. Scientists had a chance to develop a better understanding of the taxonomic inter-relationships of brinjal and its relatives, as well as furthering their knowledge of breeding behaviour. According to the new ten year strategic plan devised by COP, there must be careful consideration should be given to the study of the potential for cross-transference of genes between Bt brinjal and its wild and weedy relatives, and the possible implications

5. The Bt Brinjal debate by G. SHANMUGAM Summary: The paper is about the debate on Bt brinjal which is necessary to extend. A recent article by the same author focuse the adverse effects of Bt transgenic crops on biodiversity. The authors have expressed their concern about Bt crops affecting non-target organisms, including beneficial predators and even earthworms. They also discuss the risky prospect of Bt brinjal giving rise to Bt-resistant brinjal borers. It is well known that the cotton bollworms develop resistance to Bt. Monsanto had come out with Bt cotton with two Cry genes. Another debatable point about GM crops is the maintenance of 300 m distance between GM and non-GM crops. This is a strategy practised in countries where mega farming in hundreds of acres is done. It is not relevant for India where a majority of the farmers have small pieces of land (less than an acre). Therefore, under our agricultural practice in small holdings, it is imminent that the Bt resistant bollworms and borers would cross-pollinate our traditional varieties and destroy the biodiversity. We have more than a thousand varieties of brinjal in India, several of these are found to be resistant to the brinjal borer. With such a biodiversity providing useful genes, it is imprudent to develop Bt transgenic brinjal that inevitably would break down within a few years. On the release of Bt brinjal for cultivation, there are two kinds of views among scientists, the wait and cautious approach and the rush, why delay view. The latter suggests the release of crops like Bt brinjal without delay, leaving the final stage of experimentation to the farmers. With the current status of research and trial of Bt brinjal, it is not only imprudent but also unwarranted to push it for cultivation in India, especially when the brinjal-growing states do not want it.

6. Bt Brinjal: Need for a consensus by DEVAJYOTI BOKOLIAL Summary: The basic question is should we go for it or not? Biodiversity issue is much debated, however points raised against cultivation of Bt brinjal are not very convincing. Farmers have been favouring agronomically desirable varieties, rejecting others to be lost. Development of resistance against Cry protein cannot be ruled out; scientists have to be ready with other strategies like Cry gene stacking. At the end it must be pointed out that the products of technology are never 100% perfect. Healthy debate is favoured based on unbiased scientific data to make a consensus.

7. Bt brinjal: premature approval for cultivation by ATUL H. CHOKSHI Summary: The author focuses on three concepts like Relevance to reality, Response to critical comments, and Conflict of interest Relevance to reality: To preclude contamination, the apparently successful field trials involved maintaining an isolation distance of 300 m, based presumably on some national or international standards. Response to critical comments: Scientific manuscripts usually benefit from an open consideration of the comments, frequently with additional experiments or analysis. Conflict of interest: Independent studies, transparency and availability of all data, and independent evaluation are some of the hallmarks of good science There are also other important broader societal concerns that need to be addressed, relating to biodiversity, choice and food security, apart from legal liability. Finally, while scientific debates and controversies are resolved over a period of time by further experiments or analysis using newer techniques, it is important to note that once released, it is not possible to put the Bt brinjal gene back into the bottle. The above discussion leads to the conclusion that it would be premature to release Bt brinjal for cultivation, until both the scientific and societal concerns are addressed adequately.
8. Bt-cotton: the five-percent issue may add misery to the mixed bag by K. MURALIMOHAN, Y. B. SRINIVASA

Summary: The interesting debate was about The subject of the mixed bag, which proposes non-Bt-cotton seeds be mixed with Bt-cotton seeds in the same bag the mixed bag might encourage pest resistance, create problems during pest management, generate annoyance among farmers, etc. Manjunath attempted to counter the opinon of the authors of this paper and mentioned that the enforcement approach will ensure refuge in India. And reasons for India to reject the mixed bag is 10% trait impurity while using Bt cotton hybrid whereas USA go for variety with 100% trait purity. There must be convincing empirical evidence arising from India showing at least similar ratios of resistant to susceptible moths in high- and low-refuge situations for all bollworm species Helicoverpa armigera, Pectinophora gossypiella, Erias insulana and Erias vitella.

9. GM crops are not the only solution BIJU DHARMAPALAN Summary: The choice for or against GM crops is the discretion of a state. Even though the green revolution in India enabled an increase in productivity, it also caused environmental disaster. Until and unless long-term impact assessment studies have been done, scientific discoveries should not be made available to the public. It has been observed that in issues of public and political interest, scientists always resort to emotional blackmailing to get their hypotheses accepted. This is not the spirit of science. With judicious research, India can be a prominent player in food-grains management for the future. 10. GM technology in India is it a quiet burial? By G. Padmanaban Summary: This paper discusses about the Genetic Engineering Technology across different countries and different states in India say for example GM Rubber in Kerala and the crops made from these technologies, like Bt Corn, Potato, etc. Why in India, even after the tremendous success of Bt Cotton, Bt Brinjal is delayed to accept by the public. Bt gene is not toxic to humans, animals or the environment. Millions of people in different parts of the world, including USA, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, China and other countries are consuming Bt corn over several years without any authenticated reports of a disaster. Antibiotic resistance is actually caused by over prescription of the same for treatment by physicians and not by GM crops. Brinjal available in the market is a pesticide bullet, and the claim is that Bt brinjal can substantially decrease pesticide sprays and benefit the farmer from increased yield and decreased exposure to such sprays. Why organic farming enthusiast is opposing Bt crops when the objective is not to use chemical pesticides. The farmers need appropriate technical advice on a continual basis and the public need to be given correct information. Government need to encourage the use of technology in broader sense and provide a positive environment for scientist to work in the area of GM technology when none of the organisations delay the trial of Bt Brinjal. A great opportunity is being wasted and it is pity enough that the activist are ruling the branch whereas scientist have to take up a defensive position to justify a technology based on wide-ranging science, ethics, and concern for the society.