SlideShare ist ein Scribd-Unternehmen logo
1 von 50
THE CONFUSION ABOUT BT BRINJAL BY KUTUBUDDIN  MOLLA CSIR JRF PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY UNIVERSITY OF CALCUTTA
PAST SCENARIO ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
PRESENT SCENARIO ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
ANOTHER WORLDWIDE FAMINE IS WAITING FOR US.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
 
 
SO IN PRESENT SCENARIO FOR A SECOND GREEN REVOLUTION WE HAVE TO GO FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY  & GENETIC ENGINEERING
BRINJAL CULTIVATION IN INDIA
MAJOR PROBLEMS
FSB DAMAGE
[object Object],Shoot damage   Fruit Damage
Fruit borer  Damage as  identified  by the  consumer
WHY WE NEED BT BRINJAL ?? ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
Speculation about  Bt  or  Bt -Brinjal  is like…… The unscientific comments about Bt-Brinjal often reminds us of the six blind men and the elephant who guessed the tail as rope, legs as pole, trunk as wall, ear as fan and the trunk as hose
WE SHOULD KNOW THE ACTUAL & TRUE FACT  WHICH IS SCIENTIFIC…………….
WHAT IS  BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS (BT) TMM Bt cotton EM view of a purified inclusion body EM view of  Bt  with spores and crystals Endospore Crystal ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
HISTORY OF SAFE USE AS A SPRAY ,[object Object],TMM Bt cotton IN INDIA IN THAILAND IN CALIFORNIA IN INDIA IN AUSTRALIA
GLOBAL MARKET FOR BIOPESTICIDES, 2005-06 - $260M TMM Bt cotton 62% Other bacteria  $32m Source: CPL Business Consultants, July 2006 Bt  spray dominated with 62%. Used in all countries, including the European Union (16.5%), and by all farmers including organic farmers  Bt  $159m Virus $18m Fungus  $37m Nematode  $15m
HOW BT BRINJAL DEVELOPED? ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
PLR1 Non-Bt Bt
SHOOT DAMAGE Non Bt Bt
FRUIT DAMAGE Non bt brinjal Bt brinjal
Bt -Cotton Approved 26 March 2002: A Landmark in India India’s first transgenic crop
Bt Cotton Bt-cotton area & cotton production in India 620 Bt-cotton hybrids & 1 Bt variety have been released so far New Hybrids  Bt Cotton area lakh ha
India: Raw Cotton Imports and Exports  1991-2009
Insecticide usage in India  IRM Bt Cotton Bollworm insecticides Rs 600 crores in 2002 Bollworm Insecticides Rs 260 crores in 2008
NET RESULT OF BT COTTON APPROVAL ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
ABOUT SAFETY OF BT BRINJAL  ,[object Object],[object Object]
Ingestion   (occurs while feeding plant tissues) Solubilization   (Alkalinity) Activation   (pH >9.5) Binding   (Specific receptor) Insertion   (Damage gut wall) Pore formation Cell lyses   D e a t h Selective action of  Bt  in insects
HOW CRY PROTEINS ACT IN THE INSECT GUT ,[object Object],Fig. 3 Taken from de Maagd   RA (2001) Trends in Genetics 17(4), 193-199
DETAILS MODE OF ACTION OF BT PROTEIN
BT  HAS NO TOXIC IMPACT IN HIGHER ANIMALS (HUMAN) BECAUSE OF….. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Bt  is safe to non-target organisms-HUMAN
NATIONAL REGULATORY SYSTEMS IN INDIA ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Two nodal agencies, Ministry of Environment and forests (MoEF) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of science and technology are responsible for implementation of the regulations in India. The MoEF notified the rules and procedures for the handling of genetically modified organisms (GMO) under the environment protection act 1986(EPA).
 
WHAT ARE THE SAFETY CONCERNS? ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],All safety issues were addressed  before regulatory approval was given
SAFETY TO NON-TARGET ORGANISMS ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],Results revealed no ill effects &  Bt  is safe !
 
DOES IT AFFECT BIODIVERSITY?? ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
IS IT A THREAT TO OTHER VARIETIES THROUGH CROSS POLLINATION?? ,[object Object]
WHAT ARE THE  BENEFITS OF BT-BRINJAL.? ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
BENEFITS TO FARMERS ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
BENEFITS TO ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
[object Object],[object Object],NOW SOME PEOPLE  HAS  CHOOSEN A NEW PROFESSION- -----------  PROTESTING
      STRANGE!! ,[object Object],[object Object]
SMT . PRATIBHA DEBISINGH PATIL, THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA  “ Efforts towards sustainable agriculture can be greatly augmented with the help of space technology and biotechnology advances”
DR. MANMOHAN SINGH, THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA ,[object Object]
MR. P. CHIDAMBARAM, THE UNION HOME MINISTER ,[object Object]
 
[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]
THANK YOU HAVE A NICE DAY

Weitere ähnliche Inhalte

Was ist angesagt?

Was ist angesagt? (20)

Bt cotton
Bt cottonBt cotton
Bt cotton
 
application of pcr in agriculture
application of pcr in agricultureapplication of pcr in agriculture
application of pcr in agriculture
 
Role of insect resistance in plants
Role of insect resistance in plantsRole of insect resistance in plants
Role of insect resistance in plants
 
Plant Biotechnology: Introduction, Scope and Application
Plant Biotechnology: Introduction, Scope and ApplicationPlant Biotechnology: Introduction, Scope and Application
Plant Biotechnology: Introduction, Scope and Application
 
bt brinjal
bt brinjalbt brinjal
bt brinjal
 
MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION
MARKER ASSISTED SELECTIONMARKER ASSISTED SELECTION
MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION
 
MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION IN CROP IMPROVEMENT
MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION IN CROP IMPROVEMENTMARKER ASSISTED SELECTION IN CROP IMPROVEMENT
MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION IN CROP IMPROVEMENT
 
Barnase and bartar system
Barnase and bartar systemBarnase and bartar system
Barnase and bartar system
 
role of biotechnology in agriculture
role of biotechnology in agriculturerole of biotechnology in agriculture
role of biotechnology in agriculture
 
Genetically Modified Crop
Genetically Modified CropGenetically Modified Crop
Genetically Modified Crop
 
Bt cotton, insect resistant plant
Bt cotton, insect resistant plantBt cotton, insect resistant plant
Bt cotton, insect resistant plant
 
Mapping population ppt
Mapping population pptMapping population ppt
Mapping population ppt
 
gene stacking in crop plants final
gene stacking in crop plants finalgene stacking in crop plants final
gene stacking in crop plants final
 
Molecular Breeding for Development of Biofortified Maize Hybrids in India
Molecular Breeding for Development of Biofortified Maize Hybrids in IndiaMolecular Breeding for Development of Biofortified Maize Hybrids in India
Molecular Breeding for Development of Biofortified Maize Hybrids in India
 
Biotechnological applications in Male Sterility and Hybrid Breeding
Biotechnological applications in Male Sterility and Hybrid BreedingBiotechnological applications in Male Sterility and Hybrid Breeding
Biotechnological applications in Male Sterility and Hybrid Breeding
 
Notes on biofertilizer
Notes on biofertilizerNotes on biofertilizer
Notes on biofertilizer
 
18. synthetics and composites
18. synthetics and composites18. synthetics and composites
18. synthetics and composites
 
Agricultural biotechnology
Agricultural biotechnologyAgricultural biotechnology
Agricultural biotechnology
 
Plant exploration, germplasm collection, conservation and utilization
Plant exploration, germplasm collection, conservation and utilizationPlant exploration, germplasm collection, conservation and utilization
Plant exploration, germplasm collection, conservation and utilization
 
Biosafety issues related to GM crops
Biosafety issues related to GM cropsBiosafety issues related to GM crops
Biosafety issues related to GM crops
 

Andere mochten auch

Eggplant - Powerpoint
Eggplant - PowerpointEggplant - Powerpoint
Eggplant - Powerpoint
Mark Klingman
 
Bt rice presentation-final
Bt rice presentation-finalBt rice presentation-final
Bt rice presentation-final
babbileo
 
Genetic Engineering Final
Genetic Engineering FinalGenetic Engineering Final
Genetic Engineering Final
sarahgreenberg
 
Bt maize insect resistance to lepidopteran pest
Bt maize insect resistance to lepidopteran pestBt maize insect resistance to lepidopteran pest
Bt maize insect resistance to lepidopteran pest
Pavan R
 

Andere mochten auch (20)

Bt brinjal controversy
Bt brinjal controversyBt brinjal controversy
Bt brinjal controversy
 
Brinjal
BrinjalBrinjal
Brinjal
 
Assignment 4: Prototype and Test
Assignment 4: Prototype and TestAssignment 4: Prototype and Test
Assignment 4: Prototype and Test
 
Case studies of public-private partnerships in agricultural biotechnologies:...
 Case studies of public-private partnerships in agricultural biotechnologies:... Case studies of public-private partnerships in agricultural biotechnologies:...
Case studies of public-private partnerships in agricultural biotechnologies:...
 
Bt brinjal
Bt brinjalBt brinjal
Bt brinjal
 
Eggplant production overview by Reja
Eggplant production overview by Reja Eggplant production overview by Reja
Eggplant production overview by Reja
 
Insect pests of Brinjal plant - 2015/02/20
Insect pests of Brinjal plant - 2015/02/20Insect pests of Brinjal plant - 2015/02/20
Insect pests of Brinjal plant - 2015/02/20
 
Project proposal
Project proposalProject proposal
Project proposal
 
Project Proposal (Eggplant production)
Project Proposal (Eggplant production)Project Proposal (Eggplant production)
Project Proposal (Eggplant production)
 
Brinjal / Eggplant (Solanum melongina L. )
Brinjal / Eggplant (Solanum melongina L. )Brinjal / Eggplant (Solanum melongina L. )
Brinjal / Eggplant (Solanum melongina L. )
 
Eggplant - Powerpoint
Eggplant - PowerpointEggplant - Powerpoint
Eggplant - Powerpoint
 
Introduction to eggplant
Introduction to eggplantIntroduction to eggplant
Introduction to eggplant
 
Brinjal
BrinjalBrinjal
Brinjal
 
Genetically modified crops
Genetically modified cropsGenetically modified crops
Genetically modified crops
 
Bt rice presentation-final
Bt rice presentation-finalBt rice presentation-final
Bt rice presentation-final
 
Toefl I Bt Final Presentation 2010 Final Visual
Toefl I Bt Final Presentation 2010 Final VisualToefl I Bt Final Presentation 2010 Final Visual
Toefl I Bt Final Presentation 2010 Final Visual
 
Golden rice ppt
Golden rice pptGolden rice ppt
Golden rice ppt
 
Genetic Engineering Final
Genetic Engineering FinalGenetic Engineering Final
Genetic Engineering Final
 
Major Genetically Modified Crops
Major Genetically Modified CropsMajor Genetically Modified Crops
Major Genetically Modified Crops
 
Bt maize insect resistance to lepidopteran pest
Bt maize insect resistance to lepidopteran pestBt maize insect resistance to lepidopteran pest
Bt maize insect resistance to lepidopteran pest
 

Ähnlich wie Bt brinjal good technology product

GMO, Genetically modified organisms, agricultural and horticultural crops cur...
GMO, Genetically modified organisms, agricultural and horticultural crops cur...GMO, Genetically modified organisms, agricultural and horticultural crops cur...
GMO, Genetically modified organisms, agricultural and horticultural crops cur...
jagathesan krishnasamy
 

Ähnlich wie Bt brinjal good technology product (20)

Bt cotton by utkarsh
Bt cotton by utkarshBt cotton by utkarsh
Bt cotton by utkarsh
 
EFFECT OF Bt COTTON ON SOIL BIOTA
EFFECT OF Bt  COTTON ON SOIL BIOTAEFFECT OF Bt  COTTON ON SOIL BIOTA
EFFECT OF Bt COTTON ON SOIL BIOTA
 
Bt. crops ppt
Bt. crops pptBt. crops ppt
Bt. crops ppt
 
Biotechnology-in-Plant-Science.pptx
Biotechnology-in-Plant-Science.pptxBiotechnology-in-Plant-Science.pptx
Biotechnology-in-Plant-Science.pptx
 
Bt cotton benefits, costs, and impacts
Bt cotton benefits, costs, and impactsBt cotton benefits, costs, and impacts
Bt cotton benefits, costs, and impacts
 
Bt corn
Bt cornBt corn
Bt corn
 
Bt cotton
Bt cottonBt cotton
Bt cotton
 
Bt Cotton Development Stages
Bt Cotton Development StagesBt Cotton Development Stages
Bt Cotton Development Stages
 
gm crops
gm cropsgm crops
gm crops
 
GMO, Genetically modified organisms, agricultural and horticultural crops cur...
GMO, Genetically modified organisms, agricultural and horticultural crops cur...GMO, Genetically modified organisms, agricultural and horticultural crops cur...
GMO, Genetically modified organisms, agricultural and horticultural crops cur...
 
Presentation- Bt cotton.pdf
Presentation- Bt cotton.pdfPresentation- Bt cotton.pdf
Presentation- Bt cotton.pdf
 
Transgenics, Environmental Concerns & Biosafety Issues Related To BT Gene
Transgenics, Environmental  Concerns & Biosafety Issues Related To BT GeneTransgenics, Environmental  Concerns & Biosafety Issues Related To BT Gene
Transgenics, Environmental Concerns & Biosafety Issues Related To BT Gene
 
Genetically Modified Organasims
Genetically Modified OrganasimsGenetically Modified Organasims
Genetically Modified Organasims
 
Bt cotton
Bt cottonBt cotton
Bt cotton
 
BIOTECH 12.pptx
BIOTECH 12.pptxBIOTECH 12.pptx
BIOTECH 12.pptx
 
Biotechnology
BiotechnologyBiotechnology
Biotechnology
 
Resistance to biotic stresses
Resistance to biotic stressesResistance to biotic stresses
Resistance to biotic stresses
 
Pest resistance
Pest resistancePest resistance
Pest resistance
 
Change in pest scenario in the light of Bt cotton in India
Change in pest scenario in the light of Bt cotton in IndiaChange in pest scenario in the light of Bt cotton in India
Change in pest scenario in the light of Bt cotton in India
 
Agricultural_biotechnology.ppt
Agricultural_biotechnology.pptAgricultural_biotechnology.ppt
Agricultural_biotechnology.ppt
 

Kürzlich hochgeladen

Why Teams call analytics are critical to your entire business
Why Teams call analytics are critical to your entire businessWhy Teams call analytics are critical to your entire business
Why Teams call analytics are critical to your entire business
panagenda
 
Finding Java's Hidden Performance Traps @ DevoxxUK 2024
Finding Java's Hidden Performance Traps @ DevoxxUK 2024Finding Java's Hidden Performance Traps @ DevoxxUK 2024
Finding Java's Hidden Performance Traps @ DevoxxUK 2024
Victor Rentea
 
Cloud Frontiers: A Deep Dive into Serverless Spatial Data and FME
Cloud Frontiers:  A Deep Dive into Serverless Spatial Data and FMECloud Frontiers:  A Deep Dive into Serverless Spatial Data and FME
Cloud Frontiers: A Deep Dive into Serverless Spatial Data and FME
Safe Software
 

Kürzlich hochgeladen (20)

Biography Of Angeliki Cooney | Senior Vice President Life Sciences | Albany, ...
Biography Of Angeliki Cooney | Senior Vice President Life Sciences | Albany, ...Biography Of Angeliki Cooney | Senior Vice President Life Sciences | Albany, ...
Biography Of Angeliki Cooney | Senior Vice President Life Sciences | Albany, ...
 
AXA XL - Insurer Innovation Award Americas 2024
AXA XL - Insurer Innovation Award Americas 2024AXA XL - Insurer Innovation Award Americas 2024
AXA XL - Insurer Innovation Award Americas 2024
 
2024: Domino Containers - The Next Step. News from the Domino Container commu...
2024: Domino Containers - The Next Step. News from the Domino Container commu...2024: Domino Containers - The Next Step. News from the Domino Container commu...
2024: Domino Containers - The Next Step. News from the Domino Container commu...
 
Why Teams call analytics are critical to your entire business
Why Teams call analytics are critical to your entire businessWhy Teams call analytics are critical to your entire business
Why Teams call analytics are critical to your entire business
 
Boost Fertility New Invention Ups Success Rates.pdf
Boost Fertility New Invention Ups Success Rates.pdfBoost Fertility New Invention Ups Success Rates.pdf
Boost Fertility New Invention Ups Success Rates.pdf
 
AWS Community Day CPH - Three problems of Terraform
AWS Community Day CPH - Three problems of TerraformAWS Community Day CPH - Three problems of Terraform
AWS Community Day CPH - Three problems of Terraform
 
Apidays New York 2024 - Passkeys: Developing APIs to enable passwordless auth...
Apidays New York 2024 - Passkeys: Developing APIs to enable passwordless auth...Apidays New York 2024 - Passkeys: Developing APIs to enable passwordless auth...
Apidays New York 2024 - Passkeys: Developing APIs to enable passwordless auth...
 
MS Copilot expands with MS Graph connectors
MS Copilot expands with MS Graph connectorsMS Copilot expands with MS Graph connectors
MS Copilot expands with MS Graph connectors
 
DBX First Quarter 2024 Investor Presentation
DBX First Quarter 2024 Investor PresentationDBX First Quarter 2024 Investor Presentation
DBX First Quarter 2024 Investor Presentation
 
Artificial Intelligence Chap.5 : Uncertainty
Artificial Intelligence Chap.5 : UncertaintyArtificial Intelligence Chap.5 : Uncertainty
Artificial Intelligence Chap.5 : Uncertainty
 
Cyberprint. Dark Pink Apt Group [EN].pdf
Cyberprint. Dark Pink Apt Group [EN].pdfCyberprint. Dark Pink Apt Group [EN].pdf
Cyberprint. Dark Pink Apt Group [EN].pdf
 
How to Troubleshoot Apps for the Modern Connected Worker
How to Troubleshoot Apps for the Modern Connected WorkerHow to Troubleshoot Apps for the Modern Connected Worker
How to Troubleshoot Apps for the Modern Connected Worker
 
Finding Java's Hidden Performance Traps @ DevoxxUK 2024
Finding Java's Hidden Performance Traps @ DevoxxUK 2024Finding Java's Hidden Performance Traps @ DevoxxUK 2024
Finding Java's Hidden Performance Traps @ DevoxxUK 2024
 
Apidays New York 2024 - APIs in 2030: The Risk of Technological Sleepwalk by ...
Apidays New York 2024 - APIs in 2030: The Risk of Technological Sleepwalk by ...Apidays New York 2024 - APIs in 2030: The Risk of Technological Sleepwalk by ...
Apidays New York 2024 - APIs in 2030: The Risk of Technological Sleepwalk by ...
 
Cloud Frontiers: A Deep Dive into Serverless Spatial Data and FME
Cloud Frontiers:  A Deep Dive into Serverless Spatial Data and FMECloud Frontiers:  A Deep Dive into Serverless Spatial Data and FME
Cloud Frontiers: A Deep Dive into Serverless Spatial Data and FME
 
ProductAnonymous-April2024-WinProductDiscovery-MelissaKlemke
ProductAnonymous-April2024-WinProductDiscovery-MelissaKlemkeProductAnonymous-April2024-WinProductDiscovery-MelissaKlemke
ProductAnonymous-April2024-WinProductDiscovery-MelissaKlemke
 
CNIC Information System with Pakdata Cf In Pakistan
CNIC Information System with Pakdata Cf In PakistanCNIC Information System with Pakdata Cf In Pakistan
CNIC Information System with Pakdata Cf In Pakistan
 
FWD Group - Insurer Innovation Award 2024
FWD Group - Insurer Innovation Award 2024FWD Group - Insurer Innovation Award 2024
FWD Group - Insurer Innovation Award 2024
 
Rising Above_ Dubai Floods and the Fortitude of Dubai International Airport.pdf
Rising Above_ Dubai Floods and the Fortitude of Dubai International Airport.pdfRising Above_ Dubai Floods and the Fortitude of Dubai International Airport.pdf
Rising Above_ Dubai Floods and the Fortitude of Dubai International Airport.pdf
 
"I see eyes in my soup": How Delivery Hero implemented the safety system for ...
"I see eyes in my soup": How Delivery Hero implemented the safety system for ..."I see eyes in my soup": How Delivery Hero implemented the safety system for ...
"I see eyes in my soup": How Delivery Hero implemented the safety system for ...
 

Bt brinjal good technology product

  • 1. THE CONFUSION ABOUT BT BRINJAL BY KUTUBUDDIN MOLLA CSIR JRF PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY UNIVERSITY OF CALCUTTA
  • 2.
  • 3.
  • 4.
  • 5.  
  • 6.  
  • 7. SO IN PRESENT SCENARIO FOR A SECOND GREEN REVOLUTION WE HAVE TO GO FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY & GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • 11.
  • 12. Fruit borer Damage as identified by the consumer
  • 13.
  • 14. Speculation about Bt or Bt -Brinjal is like…… The unscientific comments about Bt-Brinjal often reminds us of the six blind men and the elephant who guessed the tail as rope, legs as pole, trunk as wall, ear as fan and the trunk as hose
  • 15. WE SHOULD KNOW THE ACTUAL & TRUE FACT WHICH IS SCIENTIFIC…………….
  • 16.
  • 17.
  • 18. GLOBAL MARKET FOR BIOPESTICIDES, 2005-06 - $260M TMM Bt cotton 62% Other bacteria $32m Source: CPL Business Consultants, July 2006 Bt spray dominated with 62%. Used in all countries, including the European Union (16.5%), and by all farmers including organic farmers Bt $159m Virus $18m Fungus $37m Nematode $15m
  • 19.
  • 22. FRUIT DAMAGE Non bt brinjal Bt brinjal
  • 23. Bt -Cotton Approved 26 March 2002: A Landmark in India India’s first transgenic crop
  • 24. Bt Cotton Bt-cotton area & cotton production in India 620 Bt-cotton hybrids & 1 Bt variety have been released so far New Hybrids Bt Cotton area lakh ha
  • 25. India: Raw Cotton Imports and Exports 1991-2009
  • 26. Insecticide usage in India IRM Bt Cotton Bollworm insecticides Rs 600 crores in 2002 Bollworm Insecticides Rs 260 crores in 2008
  • 27.
  • 28.
  • 29. Ingestion (occurs while feeding plant tissues) Solubilization (Alkalinity) Activation (pH >9.5) Binding (Specific receptor) Insertion (Damage gut wall) Pore formation Cell lyses D e a t h Selective action of Bt in insects
  • 30.
  • 31. DETAILS MODE OF ACTION OF BT PROTEIN
  • 32.
  • 33.
  • 34.  
  • 35.
  • 36.
  • 37.  
  • 38.
  • 39.
  • 40.
  • 41.
  • 42.
  • 43.
  • 44.
  • 45. SMT . PRATIBHA DEBISINGH PATIL, THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA “ Efforts towards sustainable agriculture can be greatly augmented with the help of space technology and biotechnology advances”
  • 46.
  • 47.
  • 48.  
  • 49.
  • 50. THANK YOU HAVE A NICE DAY

Hinweis der Redaktion

  1. The unscientific comments about Bt-cotton often reminds us of the six blind men and the elephant who guessed the tail as rope, legs as pole, trunk as wall, ear as fan and the trunk as hose
  2. For Indian agricultural biotechnology, March 26, 2002 is significant because it was on that day that the GEAC under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt of India, gave approval for Mahyco’s Bt-cotton for commercial cultivation. This is the first-ever agri-biotech product to receive an official approval in India. Mahyco is Monsanto’s technology partner in India and their Bt-cotton carried Bt-gene licensed from Monsanto.
  3. Bt protein needs certain specific conditions for its effective action. It has to be ingested by the target insect which happens when it is feeding. It needs alkaline condition in the intestine for its solubilization, pH of 9.5 or above for activation and specific receptors for binding before it can kill the target insect. All these conditions are available only in the susceptible insect. For example, the protein cannot act in the human or animal intestine because the intestine is acidic, pH is about 1.5 and there are no receptors. The specificity and mode of action of proteins need to be understood.
  4. Mode of action of cry toxins: (a) after ingestion by the insect, crystals dissolve in the gut juice. (b) Gut proteases subsequently clip off the C-terminal extension in the longer cry proteins (purple) as well as small N-terminal fragment (yellow). (c) The resulting activated toxin binds to receptors on the epithelial cell membrane a process in which both domain II and domain III are involved. (d) structural rearrangement of domain I might follow allowing a two-helix hairpin to insert into the membrane. (e) Inserted toxins form pores probably as oligomers but the architecture of the pore is still unknown.
  5. Whenever a new technology is introduced, there have always been concerns. Bt technology is no exception. But what needs to be understood is that these concerns are proactively considered and answered.
  6. Studies made in China, USA and other countries including India have indicated that the populations of parasitic and predatory insects in Bt-cotton fields were more and they contributed to enhanced biological control of sucking pests. There are a few publications on the adverse effects of Bt protein on ladybird beetles and lacewings as well as on the monarch butterfly. But these studies were carried out under highly artificial conditions and are not accepted by the scientific community. (If the manufacturer of a wristwatch says that the watch is shock-proof or water-proof, it does not mean that we should hammer it prove that it is not shock-proof or keep under water overnight to show that it is not water-proof. Experiments should be realistic and logical).