Q64.
What are the reasons for the people's resistance to the introduction of Bt brinjal in India? 1. Bt brinjal has been created by inserting a gene from a soil fungus into its genome. 2. The seeds of Bt brinjal are terminator seeds and therefore, the farmers have to buy the seeds before every season from the seed companies. 3. There is an apprehension that the consumption of Bt brinjal may have adverse impact on health. 4. There is some concern that the introduction of Bt brinjal may have adverse effect on the biodiversity. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Answer
C
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: Bt brinjal has a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), NOT from a soil fungus. Statement 2 is incorrect: The claim that Bt brinjal has terminator genes is still in concept stage — GM crops have terminator gene technology but it is NOT yet commercial; Bt brinjal does not have terminator seeds as per available information. Statements 3 and 4 are the actual reasons for public resistance — health concerns and biodiversity concerns are genuine public apprehensions that led to the moratorium on Bt brinjal in 2010.