The BT Gene and GM Foods: The Debate Intensifies
Genes never seemed to dominate our thoughts as much as they do today. What has in fact, initiated the debate, is the recent controversy over the introduction of bt brinjal in the market. Known as “eggplant” in the rest of the world, the point of discussion this time is the modified version of the same.
Image via Wikipedia
Genetic modifications
“Genetic engineering” as we know it today, has been the reason behind many a modifications in the species recently. At times, the very process seems bizarre due to the sheer possibilities with which the researchers are experimenting. In many instances, the genes of animals and other creatures have been introduced in vegetables, like the tomato. In this case, a fish gene was introduced in it due to the longevity factor of the former.
Though these types of “crossing over” do enhance the quantity of the said product, but it also alters its quality. The taste of these vegetables changes forever. A major reason why today most of the people are opting for originally produced “organic” farm produce.
What is real here?
This is however, easier said than done. Actually, the market is so much flooded with the GM foods that it is very difficult to spot the “organic” one, if at all it is there. Needless to say, the population factor is what has spurred the scientists to work day in and out to put forward a solution. A larger number of experiments are conducted wherein the genes are virtually “swapped” with each other for the required purposes.
Ethics apart, the very nature of the experiments of the crossing over of genes brings revulsion amongst the commoners. An arachnid’s genes might be introduced the cellular system of a vegetable like cucumber to enhance a faculty, which is otherwise absent in it. Or for that matter, some other species genes can be introduced in any other vegetable or fruit.
But, the masses are beginning to realize the importance of originality of the greens and fruits. That is why they are increasingly turning over to the “organic” food. It is the freshness in their taste and quality which is bringing them again in the limelight. Though negligible in numbers, it is still making headway in the markets again, with the tussle between the former and the latter increasing.
The patent issue
There was yet another factor related to the bt debate a few years ago in India. The government had then introduced the bt cotton in the market. But, the small-time farmers were hit the most, due to the presence of this particular gene. Due to the binding protocol of WTO, Indian government had to agree to the conditions of the agreement.
Failure in the seed production
The government had bought a large consignment of bt cotton seed variety from the multinational company, Monsanto. But, the hitch in the whole process was the production of seed from the plant. As soon as the plant would reach the flowering stage, the seed production would fail due to a certain “on-off” mechanism in the genes themselves. This particular seed variety was patented by the company and the norms were followed by them strictly, in South America.
The company used to send their representatives on the farmer’s fields, to check whether any behind-the-back activity, of selling the bt seeds was going on or not. It is because the company had patented the gene. There is another angle associated with it. With the introduction of GM varieties, the local seed varieties have been relegated to the background. A large number of local gene pools have either been lost in this way, or are on the brink of being lost forever.
Coming back to Monsanto, the idea behind their above move was to somehow make the farmers pay again and again for buying the seeds. This mechanism ensured a ready market for them while stifling the poor farmers of a genuine seed bank. Earlier it wasn’t so. The traditional method of cultivation of crops like cotton would mean a readymade seed bank for them.
But the current debate about the bt gene is regarding its resistance to pesticides. There is a possibility that the dangerous pests will develop resistance in due course of time to the pathogens present in the bt gene. It is after all, evolutionary trend which is noticed in these situations.
Also, there exists the possibility of some unwanted genetic traits being passed on to the crops themselves. Often, this has happened with crops like American beetroot with modified gene. The plant after having been planted with some other vegetable crop demanded the spraying of herbicide. Obviously, the practice was dangerous in that the toxic chemicals would have leached in the different stratums of the soil.
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