It seems that BT Brinjal is well on its way to setting anchor on Indian Shores.
BT is a short for Genetically Modified or Engineered seed by BIO-Technology giant "Monsanto" which is resistant to the Boll Guard Spray used against Boll-Worms.
The Hindu report (14-01-2010) on the Kolkata public consultation on Bt Brinjal. One paragraph indirectly mentions 30 metres as the prescribed Isolation Distance to prevent contamination between Bt brinjal and traditional varieties.
Deepika Kundaji, an expert on seed production for small-scale gardeners and farmers,working in her own organic farm; Aurobrindavan; Auroville, Tamil Nadu was very vocal in her views against such propaganda,spread with the sole aim to get clearance of BT Brinjal production in INDIA without running proper tests to check the safety of the same.She further added,"Bees are a major cross pollinator of Brinjal. I have first hand experience and evidence of this.Most bee species have a foraging range of 0 to 3 km. and possibly even further in times of shortage.If BT Brinjal is grown anywhere within this range(up to 3km,possibly even more) The risk of contamination of traditional varieties is very high.It is not even a risk,it is SURE TO Happen."
The same was re-iterated by Dr.Pushpa Mittra Bhargava(Ex-director National Knowledge Commission and Head of the Committe formed to oversee the original committee formed by the Govt. to decipher the safety of Genetically engineered Brinjal & other crops in India ).Dr.Bhargava went on to cite a report where the minimum impact of cross pollination & winds causing Contamination of Traditional Varieties at 100 Miles radius,at a Seminar in Chandigarh's Institue of Development & Communication,Sector 38,"BT Brinjal- Prospects & Concerns".
"If Bt brinjal is introduced, it is the end of all traditional brinjal varieties. And the loss of traditional varieties is the end of traditional farming. If Bt brinjal is not scrapped along with all other GM crops, it means that the government, PER SE, WANTS TO DESTROY whatever little is left of traditional farming." Deepika Kundaji
Now what remains to be seen is whether the government,of the people,from the people and for the people,turns "against" the people or retains its founding vows.
BT is a short for Genetically Modified or Engineered seed by BIO-Technology giant "Monsanto" which is resistant to the Boll Guard Spray used against Boll-Worms.
The Hindu report (14-01-2010) on the Kolkata public consultation on Bt Brinjal. One paragraph indirectly mentions 30 metres as the prescribed Isolation Distance to prevent contamination between Bt brinjal and traditional varieties.
Deepika Kundaji, an expert on seed production for small-scale gardeners and farmers,working in her own organic farm; Aurobrindavan; Auroville, Tamil Nadu was very vocal in her views against such propaganda,spread with the sole aim to get clearance of BT Brinjal production in INDIA without running proper tests to check the safety of the same.She further added,"Bees are a major cross pollinator of Brinjal. I have first hand experience and evidence of this.Most bee species have a foraging range of 0 to 3 km. and possibly even further in times of shortage.If BT Brinjal is grown anywhere within this range(up to 3km,possibly even more) The risk of contamination of traditional varieties is very high.It is not even a risk,it is SURE TO Happen."
The same was re-iterated by Dr.Pushpa Mittra Bhargava(Ex-director National Knowledge Commission and Head of the Committe formed to oversee the original committee formed by the Govt. to decipher the safety of Genetically engineered Brinjal & other crops in India ).Dr.Bhargava went on to cite a report where the minimum impact of cross pollination & winds causing Contamination of Traditional Varieties at 100 Miles radius,at a Seminar in Chandigarh's Institue of Development & Communication,Sector 38,"BT Brinjal- Prospects & Concerns".
"If Bt brinjal is introduced, it is the end of all traditional brinjal varieties. And the loss of traditional varieties is the end of traditional farming. If Bt brinjal is not scrapped along with all other GM crops, it means that the government, PER SE, WANTS TO DESTROY whatever little is left of traditional farming." Deepika Kundaji
Now what remains to be seen is whether the government,of the people,from the people and for the people,turns "against" the people or retains its founding vows.
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