Latest news on Bt Brinjal and GM Crops in India

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News Bulletin from Indian Society For Sustainable Agriculture And Rural Development

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1. SC to hear plea on GM crops’ moratorium

2. Mahyco’s Bt brinjal encounters health safety roadblocks

3. Study shows Mahyco’s Bt brinjal is unsafe

4. Bt brinjal can resist attack of FSB larvae, safe for consumption: ISAAA study

 

5. 6,000-year-old species of rice discovered in Meghalaya --------

 

SC to hear plea on GM crops’ moratorium

 

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/sc-to-hear-plea-on-gm-crops-moratorium/428093/0 ASHOK B SHARMA Posted: 2009-02-26 20:22:35+05:30 ISTUpdated: Feb 26, 2009 at 2022 hrs IST

 

New Delhi, Feb 25: The Supreme Court is slated to hear next month a petition seeking moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops as the petitioners have now come up with fresh evidence from some leading scientists with a view to strengthen their argument on the issue.

 

In a supplementary rejoinder affidavit filed before the apex court last week, the petitioners namely Aruna Rodrigues, PV Satheesh and Rajiv Baruah submitted six letters from eminent scientists like Dave Schubert, Dr Michael Antoniou, Stuart Newman, Andrew Kimbrell, Bill Freese, Jack Heinemann and Lawrence Busch endorsing Pushpa M Bhargava's regulatory guidelines as essential criteria for safety testing and risk assessment of GMOs.

 

Bhargava is the founder-director of the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and former vice-chairman of the National Knowledge Commission. He is a special invitee to the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) by an order of the Supreme Court in the ongoing writ petition 260 of 2005.

 

Bhargava has been critical about GEAC's haste in releasing GM crops without adequate bio-safety protocol. He has alleged a nexus between seed companies, bureaucrats and politicians.

 

The scientists in their letters have expressed anguish and surprise at the "unprofessional and unscientific attitude" of GEAC. Jack Heinemann of the University of Canterbury criticised GEAC's "distasteful personal attack of a truly significant figure of Indian science, Pushpa M Bhargava" which according to him is neither relevant to his expertise nor to the dispute.

 

The petitioners also filed reviews made by Gilles-Eric Seralini, University of Caen, France and president of the Scientific Council of the Committee for Independent Research and Information on Genetic Engineering, (CRIIGEN) and Judy Carman, director, Institute of Health and Environmental Research Inc. (IHER), Australia exposing the hollowness of the claims of Mahyco's bio-safety data on Bt brinjal.

 

In their rejoinder, the petitioners pointed out the genetic contamination of maize by GM crops in Mexico, the centre of origin.

 

They have also submitted five more independent and "peer reviewed" studies that raise serious concerns about the bio-safety hazards of GM crops. These include a new report by the Italian government's National Institute of Research on Food and Nutrition published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry and has found significant changes in the immune response of young and old mice that have been fed the GM maize MON 810.

 

A long-term study on female mice fed on genetically modified soybean: effects on liver ageing' published by Histochem Cell Biology, 2008 and a three generation study on rats fed with Bt corn - Biochemical and Histopathological Investigation - by Aysun Kilic published by Elsevier in late 2007 have also been submitted before the apex court.

 

The petitioners also submitted a peer reviewed study on Bt cotton was carried out at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute which suggest that Bt cotton may constrain the availability of N, but enhances P-availability in these soils. The study is entitled – Mineral Deficiency Stress: Transgenic Bt-Cotton Affects Enzyme Activity and Nutrient Availability in a Sub-Tropical Inceptisol. The study - Glyphosate Formulations Induce Apoptosis and Necrosis in Human Umbilical, Embryonic and Placental Cells – made by Nora Benachour and Seralini in 2009 has also been submitted before the apex court. ----------

 

Mahyco’s Bt brinjal encounters health safety roadblocks

 

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/mahycos-bt-brinjal-encounters-health-safety-roadblocks/412210/0 ASHOK B SHARMA Posted: 2009-01-19 23:10:24+05:30 ISTUpdated: Jan 19, 2009 at 2310 hrs IST

 

New Delhi, Jan 18: The commercial release of Mahyco's Bt brinjal has run into rough weather, with the Union health ministry and consumers' organisations questioning about the health safety aspect. In the 91st meeting of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee GEAC), the representative from the health ministry raised the issue of health safety on the basis of some international studies.

 

The Union health minister, Anbumani Ramadoss has also recently taken cognisance of the developments, after pressures from NGOs and farmers' organisations. The Supreme Court's nominee and noted biotechnologist Pushpa M Bhargava has been equally critical of GEAC's hurry to release GM food crops without adequate bio-safety studies. Mahyco, however, continues to claim absolute safety of its product.

 

The NGOs campaign against the release of Bt binjal has been fuelled by global studies questioning the health and bio-safety generated by developer Mahyco, which has borrowed the technology from the US seed multinational Monsanto. The first such study to come in recent times was that by a team headed by Gilles-Eric Séralini of the France-based Committee for Independent Research and Information on Genetic Engineering (CRIIGEN). This study is followed by that of the Australia-based Institute of Health and Environmental Research Inc (IHER).

 

Judy Carman and her team at IHER found that the type of studies undertaken by Mahyco were insufficient to prove the health safety of Bt brinjal. The study alleged that there have been no reproductive studies and the studies that have been done, often used animals and measurements that were inappropriate or insufficient measures of human health.

 

The methodology and results were often insufficiently reported to be able to determine what the studies were actually measuring or how various variables were measured.

Included in this, the study said that the statistical results have not been reported to a suitable standard. For example, means, standard deviations, and p-values, which would be required for any peer-reviewed scientific journal, were not done. The sample sizes were insufficient to be able to find statistical difference for many measurements even if real clinical differences were occurring between groups. Indeed, much of the research presented by Mahyco could be regarded as being burdened with Type II error. This type of statistical error occurs when sample sizes are so low that the study cannot realistically be expected to find a difference between groups of animals even if clinical differences were occurring, the study said.

 

The study concluded that in such a situation, Bt brinjal was unsafe for human consumption and would expose 1.15 billion Indians to health hazards, particularly children, expectant mothers and elderly persons. Cancer, autoimmune problems, heart diseases, diabetes, or infectious diseases may be the outcome.

 

The pro-GMO lobby has, however, raised the issue that food and environmental security can be achieved, by citing the Environmental Resource Indicators report recently released at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting by Field to Market, the Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture. --------

 

Study shows Mahyco’s Bt brinjal is unsafe

 

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/study-shows-mahycos-bt-brinjal-is-unsafe/408810/0 ASHOK B SHARMA Posted: 2009-01-10 22:07:12+05:30 ISTUpdated: Jan 10, 2009 at 2207 hrs IST

 

New Delhi, Jan 9: An independent analysis of Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company’s (Mahyco) Bt brinjal bio-safety data revealed that it was unsafe for human consumption.

The finding was based on the dossiers submitted by the seed company in its application to the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) requesting for commercial release of Bt brinjal.

 

The study was submitted by a team headed by Gilles-Eric Séralini of France-based Committee for Independent Research and Information on Genetic Engineering (CRIIGEN) which concluded that Bt brinjal might be a serious risk to human and animal health.

 

The study noted, “The parameters affected in animals fed with Bt brinjal are in blood cells or chemistry, but in different manners according to the period of measurement during the study or sex. In goats, the prothrombin time is modified and biochemical parameters such as total bilirubin and alkaline phosphates are also changed, as well as feed consumption and weight gain. For rabbits, less consumption was noted and also prothrombin time modification, higher bilirubin in some instances, albumin, lactose dehydrogenase and the hepatic markers alanine and aspartate aminotransferases. Sodium levels were also modified, as well as glucose, platelet count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit value. In cows, milk production and composition changed by 10%-14% .â€

 

“Rats which were GM-fed had diarrhoea, had higher water consumption, suffered from decrease in liver weight as well as decrease in the relative liver to body weight ratio. Feed intake was modified in broiler chickens with glucose in some instances. Average feed conversion and efficiency ratios are changed in GM-fed fish. All that makes a very coherent picture of Bt brinjal to be potentially unsafe for human consumption. It will be also potentially unsafe to eat animals who have these problems. These differences are most often not reported in the summaries of different experiments, but are present in the raw data, â€the study added.

 

According to the study, these differences were, when discussed, disregarded often on the grounds that they were within the range of a wide “reference†group. The reference group represents a wide range of brinjal types and is not a strict comparison. Other reasons for disregarding the differences were that they did not show linear dose response or time response, or that they were only present in either males or females, but not both. Such declarations that the differences seen were not of biological relevance and unsubstantiated by the data presented from the feeding trials.

 

Clear and significant differences were seen to increase food safety concerns and warrant further investigation. Bt brinjal cannot be considered as safe as its non-GM counterpart, the study concluded. --------------------------------

 

Bt brinjal can resist attack of FSB larvae, safe for consumption: ISAAA study

 

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/bt-brinjal-can-resist-attack-of-fsb-larvae-safe-for-consumption-study/429491/0 ASHOK B SHARMA Posted: 2009-03-02 23:01:04+05:30 ISTUpdated: Mar 02, 2009 at 2301 hrs IST

 

New Delhi, March 1: A study conducted by the global pro-GMO lobby, ISAAA, has claimed that Bt brinjal can resist the attacks of the common enemy fruit shoot borer (FSB) larvae and also be safe for human consumption.

 

The study, co-authored by Bhagirath Choudhary and Kadambini Gaur, said that Bt brinjal hybrids containing cry 1 Ac gene express Bt protein in all parts of the plant throughout its life cycle. To get activated and exhibit insecticidal property, Bt protein must be ingested by FSB.

 

When FSB larvae feed on Bt brinjal plants, they ingest Bt protein along with plant tissue. In insect gut, it is solubilised and activated by gut proteases generating a toxic fragment. The activated insecticidal protein then binds to two different receptors in a sequential manner.

 

Quoting extracts from a paper in the American Academy of Microbiology, the study said that the first contact of the insecticidal protein is with the cadherin receptor, triggering the formation of oligomer structure. The oligomer then has increased affinity to a second receptor, amino-peptidase-N (APN).

 

The APN facilitates insertion of the oligomer into membrane causing ion pores. These events disrupt digestive processes such as loss of trans-membrane potential, cell lysis, leakage of the mid-gut contents and paralysis that in turn cause the death of FSB.

 

The 102-page study entitled - The Development and Regulation of Bt brinjal in India - however, said that Bt brinjal does not harm or pose any threat to higher order organisms and non-target organisms, as they lack specific receptors and conditions for activation of Bt protein in their gut and hence is safe for human consumption.

 

Apart from Cry 1 Ac gene, Bt brinjal contains a selectable marker, nptll gene, which encodes enzyme neomycin phosphotransferase, Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 355 promoter and aad gene, which encodes for bacterial selectable marker enzyme3n(9)-0- aminoglycoside adenyl transferase.

 

Addressing the concern of a possible genetic contamination of non-Bt brinjal, the study said that the maximum distance travelled by pollen could be between 15 to 20 metres and outcrossing could vary from 1.46% to 2.7%.

 

The study attempted to resolve the issue of the centre of origin of the crop by saying that reports suggested Central and South America as the centre of origin of the species of genus Solanum to which potato and brinjal belong.

 

It further said that brinjal probably originated from African wild species S incanum, S melongena and was first domesticated in South-East China and taken to the Mediterranean region during Arab conquest in the 7th century. There are studies, which also report that brinjal originated in the Indo-Burma region.

 

The ISAAA study however noted that as brinjal appears in ancient Indian literature, India may be a secondary centre of diversity, while Africa may be the primary centre. Noted scientist Vavilov, however, regarded India as the original home of brinjal.

 

The ISAAA study lauded the regulatory system in India and hoped that India would be able to give to the world the first Bt brinjal. -------------------------------

 

6,000-year-old species of rice discovered in Meghalaya

 

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/6-000yearold-species-of-rice-discovered-in-meghalaya/409467/0 ASHOK B SHARMA Posted: 2009-01-12 23:11:04+05:30 ISTUpdated: Jan 12, 2009 at 2311 hrs IST

 

Shillong, Jan 11: Meghalaya Mission for Indigenous Knowledge has found a 6000-year-old traditional species of rice in the Garo hills of the state.

 

This biological diversity is now an important genetic store for rice worldwide. Mira Nair's film - Still, the Children are Here - told exclusively through the voices of the Garos, follows two extended families in the village Sandolpara, as they grapple with survival and change in this native community. Elders say they are poorer today. "Even though we reap the same grain as the grandmothers, we are poorer," they say.

 

In Sandolpara, 6,000-year-old species of rice are still grown. Women are the caretakers of these varieties of rice. They select the right varieties for cultivation and handle processing and storage of rice. Men help in cultivation and manage the fields. "These hardy strains of rice must be protected and should not be contaminated by any hybrids or genetically modified (GM) crops," the document paper of the Meghalaya Mission for Indigenous Knowledge noted.

 

The draft document also pleaded that the government should provide subsidies to farmers for growing these traditional varieties, so that the traditional rice varieties are available to consumers at cheaper rates and can compete with already-subsidised rice from other parts of the country.

 

The vice chancellor of the Shillong-based North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Pramod Tandon said, "Our major objective is to conserve and conduct research in traditional knowledge and to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people." He said that the important gene centre located in the campus had not been given due consideration by the Union government, which funds this university. The gene bank contains rich depositories of traditional rice and citrus among other rare plants.

 

He mentioned water lily as a rare species now found only in Meghalaya. Earlier, some species of water lily were found in Siberia, Russia, though the climatic conditions in Meghalaya and Siberia vary to a large extent. "We have taken up the difficult job of micro-propagation of the water lily in a farmer's pond in Smit village," he said. The seeds of the water lily are eaten by the local people.

 

Among other rare plants are Dancing Girl, Holly Tree and Mishmi Getta. Dancing Girl varieties are under the women's empowerment scheme of the department of biotechnology (DBT). "Unplanned urbanisation, mining and quarrying have destroyed the biodiversity and ecology of the region, alleged Tandon. He disclosed that the Mishmi Getta was illegally exported to China for its medicinal value and how the Italians once indulged in biopiracy of the Texas Bacata, the extracts of which are used to cure breast cancer. The Khasiana variety of the Picher plant is grown in nitrogen deficient land in the state. Out of 13,000 orchid varieties, 560 alone are found in north-eastern India.

 

The Guwahati-based North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd has documented the methods of propagation and the use of several aromatic and medicinal plants like Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth), Citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt), Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus Steud Wats), Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides Linn), Sugandhmantri (Homalo,ena aromatica Schott), Agar (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb), Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentine Benth ex Kur), Pipali (Piper longum Linn), Amlakhi (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), Hilikha (Terminalia chebula Retz), Bhomora (terminalia belerica), Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna Wight and Arn). Among other crops of economic importance are Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni-Nemsi, Vanilla planifolia Andrews and Brahmi or Bacopa monnieri (L) Wetts.

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