BT Brinjal for Dinner

In July, India will get its first indigenously-developed BT crop—brinjal. A company has developed the genetically-modified vegetable.

In July, India will get its first indigenously-developed BT crop—brinjal. Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company) has developed the genetically-modified (GM) vegetable. The significance of the breakthrough, which no other firm in the world has achieved, is that it allows the brinjal plant to overcome insects like the shoot borer. These pests can destroy a large percentage of sown crops. The field trial has been completed. But before you can sit down to enjoy your BT bharta, brace yourself for protests from NGOs opposed to GM crops.