With the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) giving in-principle approval for the commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal, Ravish Tiwari takes a look at the technology behind genetically modified crop and the debate on it:

What is a GM crop? How is it different from conventional hybrid crops?

As the name suggests, a genetically modified crop is produced by bringing about a change in the genetic structure of the plant. It is generally done by introducing an outside gene, sourced from other plants or organisms, to develop some special characteristic in the crop.

In conventional hybridisation, two or more varieties of the same crop are cross-bred, through cross-pollination or some other method, to develop a hybrid variety with some desired characteristic.

What are Bt crops like Bt Cotton or Bt Brinjal?

Bt crops are genetically-modified after inserting a particular gene (Cry1Ac) from the soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), into a plant cell. Bacillus thuringiensis is a naturally occurring bacteria that produces a toxin poisonous to certain types of insects.

In the case of cotton, the Cry1Ac gene provides resistance from bollworm, cotton’s most persistent pest. In case of brinjal, it provides resistance from fruit and shoot borer pests.

Thus Bt Cotton and Bt Brinjal use less pesticides, which otherwise is a major input cost for the farmers.

What has been the experience with Bt Cotton?

Bt Cotton was the first GM crop approved by the government for commercial cultivation in the country. From the initial three varieties of Bt Cotton developed in 2002, farmers in the country now have more than 200 Bt Cotton hybrids to choose from.

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