Question

Which is India's first transgenic crop?

Answer 1

Transgenic Crop in World:

1. The tobacco plant, which produced in 1982 and was antibiotic-resistant, was the world's first genetically modified crop.
2. However, in 1992, China became the first country to commercialize the first transgenic plant, the virus-resistant tobacco plant.

Transgenic Crop in India:

1. Bt brinjal was the first transgenic crop developed in India, with a desired gene isolated from the Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria.
2. This is an insect-resistance gene that protects the crop from insect attack. This gene was also inserted into the Cotton crop, resulting in Bt cotton.
3. The Bt gene encodes a poisonous protein that can kill insects but has no effect on Bacillus thuringiensis because its cytoplasm is acidic and this protein is inactive in an acidic environment.
4. However, when insects eat a crop, this gene enters their gut and becomes activated because the pH of their gut is alkaline.
5. The Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company developed Bt Brinjal. However, Bt brinjal is now banned in India and countries such as the United States because it loses healthy nutrients and contains a gene that is harmful to humans.:
6. As a result, Bt brinjal was the first transgenic crop developed in India.