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Bt-brinjal is a genetically modified variety of brinjal (also known as eggplant or aubergine) that has been developed using biotechnology. It is designed to be resistant to a range of pests, including the fruit and shoot borer (FSB), which is one of the most damaging pests of brinjal in South Asia.
The Bt-brinjal variety has been created by introducing a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) into the brinjal plant. This gene produces a protein called Cry1Ac, which is toxic to the FSB pest. When the pest eats the Bt-brinjal plant, it ingests the Cry1Ac protein, which binds to the lining of its gut and causes it to stop feeding and eventually die.
Bt-brinjal has undergone extensive safety testing and regulatory approval in India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. Proponents of Bt-brinjal argue that it has the potential to reduce the use of harmful pesticides, improve yields, and increase farmers` incomes. However, opponents have raised concerns about its safety and potential environmental and health impacts, and have called for further testing and regulatory oversight before its widespread adoption.