You may soon find India’s first genetically modified vegetable, Bt brinjal, making its way to your vegetable market.
The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, which is responsible for approval of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered products, on Wednesday approved the environmental release of the vegetable but it still has to get a nod from the central government.
Many in India are concerned over the harmful effects of the vegetable and question the need for a genetically modified vegetable. 
“Bt brinjal should not be launched in the country as the Bt toxin gene produces poison and when it can harm pests, where’s the proof that it won’t be harmful to humans?” says Suman Sahia, Convener of Gene Campaign.
A report by Debi Barker, Executive Director of the International Forum on Globalization, says that genetically modified crops can spread in the environment and contaminate other crops and plants.
Concerns over their effect on wildlife and human health have been expressed all over the globe.
Food policy analyst Devinder Sharma raises a few important questions — “First of all, do we even need Bt brinjal? Why take a risk? Where is the crisis in brinjal production that necessitates it?”
Bollywood filmmakers Mahesh Bhatt and Ajay Kanchan released a documentary in March 2009 called “Poison on Platter” to create awareness about genetically modified products in the public.
“We want to highlight the fact that you cannot tamper with Mother Nature without sensitising the nation first,” Bhatt said.
Do you think genetically modified vegetables are a good idea? 
Will Bt brinjal set a trend and we’ll have other genetically modified vegetable as well?
As a consumer, would you prefer a genetically modified vegetable over a naturally grown one?
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This type of infidelity among general public about Bt Brinjal is due to lack of basic understanding about plant breeding techniques. We require such genetically modified varieties for another green revolution to come. Human beings would not have existed but for genetic variations. You can not discard something out of suspicion. For producing higher food productivity to feed the growing millions, we need to believe our scientists.If you do not believe them, you have no right to produce more babies and add to the 1.2 billion population of the country.
- Posted by UppadaThe Bt gene is Bt brinjal is perfectly safe for higher mammals and humans, and is only toxic to a specific group of insect larvae known as Lepidopterans. Bt spray has been use for over 60 years wihtout any deleterious effetcs, and anyone who is suggesting today that it might affect humans is wilfully ignorant of scientific facts. Bt brinjal is a necessity and an environmentally alternative. Let farmers decide if they want to grow it. Hybrid brinjals and GM brinjals have been compared in addition to many other GM crops. The scientiifc matter of the fact is that hybrids show a lot more gene perturbations than single or double or triple gene insertion events. Comparing British rule to a technology regime is preposterous. In that case, we might as well throw out TV, mobile phones, computers, drugs, pharmaceuticals, and jets and go back medeaval times. It is astonishing how so many educated people in India in the 21st century have such false notions.
- Posted by Dr. Shanthu ShantharamThis is lack of vision and thinking capability of dogs who are blinded by supremacy theories and jump in air to catch whatever their master throws.
- Posted by Juxt ApposeI believe in simple things - go against nature; mother nature will take revenge.
- Posted by Sujay BhattacharyaThere are so many examples : Chinese man made earthquake from SICHUAN dam, Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Bird Flu, Swine flu, AIDS, Mad cow disease, … so many to come.
BT brinjal could be another Frankestein in vegetable format.
As a plant breeder I can tell everyone that this Brinjal is necessary not because there is a crisis in Brijal production but this will reduce the use of chemicals which kill the insects whihc attack Brinjal. These chemicals are more poisonous than what you can imagine. So minimizing the use of these chemicals is both nature and man friendly. yes there are numerous trials being done between GM and non GM material and any genetically unstable material is discarded. Please dont belive the fearmongers who still are having a colonial hangover where all their decisions are based on the thinking of colonizers and colonies rather than moving forward into a new age where food sufficiency needs of people are met without more land being cleared for agriculture and more chemicals being used. I am neither attached to any company nor do I make any profit from any company. GM soybeans, cotton, cheese have been eaten for over a decade now and no one has suffered any adverse effect. These monster stories are spread around by people who have their stomachs full. ask a vegtitable farmer if he prefers to purchase more chemicals or ore expose himself and his family to more dangerous sprays. Let us publish the answer. By the way since time immemorial man has been genetially modifiying crops. If he did not there would not be much to eat today. Have alook at what wheat or rice used to look like. With GM technology only difference instread of large chunks of genes one desired gene is inserted into the plant. Stop the fearmongering.
- Posted by VaruniIndia was ruled by whites in india before 1947.It is still in our genes and psyche….
Now they are going to remotely rule….
The politicians are not bothered. They need power some how to stay in power.
we should resist the GM crops.
There is no awarness…
- Posted by hasthamivarThere really isn’t a choice in this issue.
As the climate warms, and population increase, the price of food is going to increase to much higher levels. And as oil reserves lower, the price will increase further still.
The third world will have two choices:
-GM Crops, or
-Mass starvation.
You will be surprised how willing people will accept GM crops, once they have no alternative.
- Posted by HmmmHybridization in agricultural products is changing the trend across the Globe, I do not know any lab has done any analysis between naturally grown and Genitically modified vegitables for understanding by a common person in any society. If the analysis shows same components, why can’t we go with Genitacally modified vegitables. Because natural ones will take long time and hybridization is taking less time to yield, so that growers can achieve more benefit. In case of natuaral disasters geniticall modified can be grown faster and supply can be met against demand
- Posted by Mavahalli S SomaiahMonsanto must have adopted some shady tactics with the explicit backing of the US government to arm twist the Indian government to conduct field trials and introduce GT Brinjal.
Today it is Brinjal tomorrow it will be wheat and then rice and Monsanto won’t rest till it controls a major portion of the Indian agricultural market.
This is backdoor colonialism and we alongwith future generations will pay the penalty.
- Posted by Kannan