New Delhi:
The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee set up by the government approved BT Brinjal last year, a decision that caused an uproar among many civil society and farmer groups. After that, the Environment Minister has held many public consultations in different parts of the country.
Pros of Bt Brinjal
Those in favour of BT Brinjal say:
- The use of Pesticides and costs will go down.
- The yield of brinjal will increase.
- Farmers will therefore earn more.
- India's food security will benefit.
But protesters argue:
- The impact on human health and environment is not clear.
- Introducing BT Brinjal will open floodgates for other genetically-modified crops.