This paper is relevant to the impact areas in the following areas:
| Crops | Not Crop-Specific |
| Traits | Insect Res. (BT), Insect Resistance |
| Countries | India |
| Regions | Asia |
| Tags |
The genetic engineering is one of the great marvels of 21st century human. It allowed for precise control over the genetic changes introduced into an organism. Today, we can incorporate new genes from one species into a completely unrelated species through genetic engineering, optimizing agricultural performance. India introduced Bt cotton seeds in 2002. It has greatly reduced the use of toxic pesticides. Bt cotton produces a common soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). It is a natural pest repelling bacteria that is toxic to many worms and pests that can harm the crop but is not hazardous to humans. Bt is widely sprayed on crops by organic farmers as a pesticide. As a result of the adoption of Bt cotton, India is now the largest cotton producer in the world. It reduces the use of pesticide and insecticide during farming that might be great moves for the betterment of the food supply. It can feed a rapidly increasing population because it shows dramatically increased yields. In India, GM plants like GM cotton, Bt brinjal and GM mustard are experimented, but the government refused to allow it to be commercialized. Recently, the government of India has examined a proposal on GM mustard seeds despite there being severe opposition to it among environmental activists.
History, status and impact of genetically modified crops in India (held on an external server, and so may require additional authentication details)
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