BT Cotton What is meant by Bt cotton? Bt cotton is a genetically engineered cotton.

It produces a protein which is toxic to lepidopteran (crawling) insects, if ingested in adequate quantities. The toxin produced exists in nature within the micro-organism Bacillus thuringiensis (which accounts for the "Bt" in the name). Genetic manipulation of cotton has been carried out by inserting a gene - Cry 1Ac - obtained from the bacterium. The rationale behind genetic engineering is that the Green Revolution, based on conventional methods of breeding, has hit a plateau. GE seeds with further quality improvements, are seen as a solution. Which countries have allowed use of Bt cotton? India has joined seven other countries - US, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, Indonesia and China - permitting Bt cotton cultivation. Who makes Bt cotton? The natural gene Cry 1Ac has been further modified by Monsanto, USA. The transgenic cotton varieties containing this improved gene have been branded `Bollgard' by the company. In India, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahco) has produced Bt cotton lines by back-crossing the Bt lines of Monsanto with existing cotton hybrids. These lines have been named MECH (Mahyco's Early Cotton Hybrid) with a number suffixed such as 12, 162, 184 and 915 to identify the parental lines used. What is the controversy? Since Bt cotton is a genetically modified plant, it was not clear whether it was safe. Mahyco had to take government permission to sell the seeds to farmers. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), comprising experts in all related fields, allowed small scale trails under the supervision of the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee. This was followed by large scale field trials for which the ICAR was also roped in. Over the past two years, environmentalists, farmers, scientists and political parties have raised concerns over environmental issues, bio-safety measures, health implications and so on. Has the GEAC approval put to rest all doubts? People continue to doubt the efficacy of the safeguards put in place. Monsanto has been asked to educate farmers to cultivate Bt cotton with a strip of non Bt cotton surrounding it. This is the practice adopted world over to ensure that the Bollworm does not develop resistance to Bt, or at least retard resistance. If the pest has a larger food basket, Bt would be effective. Yet, every new development gives rise to same fears afresh. What are these fears? Mainly, that Bt cotton will cause the pest (American Bollworm) to develop resistance. The possible adverse impact on non-target organisms, effectiveness of Bt as a biopesticide, the flow of Bt cotton genes to wild and cultivated relatives, and the presence of `aad' gene in Bt cotton (which is said to cause resistance to the antibiotic streptomycin, used to treat TB) are other concerns.

Why did the government allow Bt cotton despite fears? Detailed tests conducted proved most of these fears as unfounded. It is felt that with the `refuge' of non Bt cotton, resistance development can be prevented and cross pollination avoided. It was also found that Bt toxin does not enter the food chain at all. On the other hand, the benefits for the farmer are substantial. Even so, by way of abundant precaution, the government has given a conditional approval for three years and can withdraw it any time. Then there's nothing to worry? Actually, the challenge comes now. Farmers have to be educated to adopt right practices. ET IN THE CLASSROOM dated 22/04/2002