Impacts of Bt brinjal (eggplant) technology in Bangladesh

BackgroundThis study examines the impact of genetically modified (GM) eggplant in Bangladesh.Eggplant, called brinjal in Bangladesh, is a high-value crop that is widely grown and consumed.Brinjal is highly vulnerable to fruit and shoot borer (FSB) pest.In response, farmers spray the crop heavily and repeatedly with highly toxic pesticides but with limited success.Over a 10-year period, public sector Bangladeshi agricultural researchers, with support from Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Pvt.Ltd. (Mahyco) and researchers based in the United States, have developed a series of GM varieties of Bt brinjal that are resistant to FSB.Extensive biosafety work has demonstrated that there are no significant differences between Bt brinjal and its non-GM counterparts (APAARI 2018).Following regulatory review, Bangladesh approved Bt brinjal for human consumption (APAARI…