Last month a public outcry in India successfully delayed the release of a government-approved GMO crop, Bt Brinjal, 'because further scientific research is needed'. While in most of the West aubergine (brinjal) is not considered a very important crop, in India it is the second most commonly consumed vegetable after potato. Nearly one and a half million small holders throughout the subcontinent produce eight to nine million tonnes of this staple crop annually.
Although brinjal grows well in the drought conditions that currently affect much of India, the crop is particularly susceptible to infestation by Leucinodes orbonalis, the larvae of which bore into both the young shoots and the fruit. Because they remain concealed within the plant, farmers are led to spray insecticide for up to forty times in one growing season, for a total of up to 54 litres of formulated insecticide per hectare. Not only is this very expensive and a health hazard for small farmers, but a cocktail of pesticide residues (including monocrotophos) pollutes the environment and remains on the marketed product. It was against this background that Mahyco, India, commenced development of the GM aubergine, Bt Brinjal, over eight years ago.
The insertion of the Cry 1 Ac gene from Bacillus thuringiensis provided a crop with inbuilt pest control, as well as one with the potential to increase yields, reduce costs and help protect both health and the environment. (Indeed 7.6 million hectares of cotton in India are grown from similarly genetically modified seeds). Rigorous, independently verified studies and field trials followed, including efficacy studies for effectiveness of insect control. Numerous comparisons between Bt Brinjal and the traditional
varieties were also carried out, including pollen flow, possible accumulation of Bt proteins in the soil and effects on soil microorganisms. After careful scrutiny of the data, using science-based processes, a government committee approved the commercial release of Bt brinjal seeds five months ago.
Many people have questioned whether an apparently local dispute over Indian GM aubergines, in which public sentiment has triumphed in the face of rigorous scientific data and a lengthy government approval process, really matters. The short answer is it does. While globally aubergine is not an important crop, India is obviously very important agriculturally. There is more arable land in India than in any other country outside the US, and it ranks second in farm output. It is the world's second largest producer of important crops such as wheat and rice. Agriculture employs 60% of the work force, and is still the largest economic sector. However, more than a sixth of the world's inhabitants live in India, and this fast-growing population is predicted to outnumber China's in thirty years time. The population is growing faster than the country's ability to produce food, a problem exacerbated by unusual drought conditions during recent years.
Sadly in India the illogical fear of eating genetically modified food has proved more important than either the country's ability to produce sufficient food to feed its population, or the very real danger of eating a product contaminated by heavy pesticide residues. We can only hope that the results of 'further scientific research' will manage to persuade the citizens of the world's largest democracy that GMO food is safe.