Question

The controversy regarding the use of Bt brinjal is

• A. The growth contaminated the ground water
• B. Bt brinjal had harmful effects on the uterus
• C. Bt brinjal is sterile, no further reproduction takes place
• D. It induces an antibiotic resistance to humans

Answer 1

The correct option is D It induces an antibiotic resistance to humans

Bt brinjal has many advantages to small farmers because it is insect resistant, increases yields, is more cost-effective and will have minimal environmental impact. But their are many disadvantages related to the production and use of Bt brinjal. Importantly, the spread of the genetically engineered Bt gene could result in the brinjal becoming an aggressive and problematic weed which can cause possible adverse impact on human health and bio-safety, livelihoods and biodiversity. It produces a protein in the vegetable cells that work to induce antibiotic resistance and obviously poses as a major health concern and it therefore is inappropriate for commercialized use.