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The genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, has been developed. The objective of this is
  • a)
    To make it pest-resistant.
  • b)
    To improve its taste and nutritive qualities.
  • c)
    To make it drought-resistant.
  • d)
    To make its shelf-life longer.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
The genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, ...
Key-Points
  • A genetically modified organism (GMO) or living modified organism (LMO), after this referred to as GMO, is any organism whose genetic material has been modified using laboratory-based transfer of genetic material from another organism.
    • Brinjal is prone to attack from insect pests and diseases, the most serious and destructive of which is the fruit and shoot borer (FSB) Leucinodes orbonalis.
    • FSB feeds predominantly on brinjal and is prevalent in all brinjal-producing states.
    • It poses a serious problem because of its high reproductive potential.
    • FSB larvae bore into tender shoots and fruits, retarding plant growth, making the fruits unsuitable for the market and unfit for human consumption.
    • Fruit damage as high as 95% and losses of up to 70% in commercial plantings have been reported.
    • FSB-resistant brinjal or Bt brinjal was developed using a transformation process similar to the one used in the development of Bt cotton.
Important Point
  • The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
    • It functions in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
    • As per Rules, 1989, it is responsible for the appraisal of activities involving large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.
    • The committee is also responsible for the appraisal of proposals relating to the release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment, including experimental field trials.
    • GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
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Most Upvoted Answer
The genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, ...
Introduction
The genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as Bt-brinjal, has been developed with the objective of making it pest-resistant. This genetic modification involves the introduction of a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) into the brinjal plant. Bt produces a protein that is toxic to certain insect pests, providing the plant with built-in resistance against these pests.

Explanation
1. Pest resistance: The main objective of developing Bt-brinjal is to make it pest-resistant. This is achieved by inserting the Bt gene, which produces a protein toxic to certain insect pests. When these pests feed on the Bt-brinjal, they ingest the toxic protein, leading to their death. This helps in reducing the damage caused by pests and the need for chemical pesticides, thereby improving the overall yield and quality of the brinjal crop.

2. Benefits over chemical pesticides: Bt-brinjal offers several advantages over conventional brinjal varieties that rely on chemical pesticides for pest control. The use of chemical pesticides not only adds to production costs but also poses health risks to farmers and consumers. Bt-brinjal, on the other hand, reduces the need for chemical pesticides, making it a more environmentally friendly and sustainable option.

3. Improved crop yield: By incorporating pest resistance into the brinjal plant, Bt-brinjal helps to minimize yield losses caused by insect pests. Pests such as the fruit and shoot borer, which are major threats to brinjal crops, can cause significant damage and reduce yields. With Bt-brinjal, farmers can expect higher yields and better quality produce, leading to increased profits.

4. Reduced production costs: The use of chemical pesticides can be expensive for farmers, as they need to be applied multiple times during the growing season. Bt-brinjal reduces the reliance on chemical pesticides, resulting in lower production costs for farmers. This makes Bt-brinjal a more economically viable option for farmers, especially those with limited resources.

5. Health and environmental benefits: The use of chemical pesticides not only poses health risks to farmers but also has adverse effects on the environment. These pesticides can contaminate soil, water, and air, leading to ecological imbalances and harm to non-target organisms. By reducing the need for chemical pesticides, Bt-brinjal helps to minimize these risks and promotes a safer and healthier agricultural system.

Conclusion
The development of Bt-brinjal with pest-resistant traits has significant implications for improving crop yield, reducing production costs, and promoting sustainable agriculture. By harnessing the power of genetic engineering, Bt-brinjal offers a promising solution to the challenges posed by insect pests in brinjal cultivation.
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The genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, has been developed. The objective of this isa)To make it pest-resistant.b)To improve its taste and nutritive qualities.c)To make it drought-resistant.d)To make its shelf-life longer.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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