UPSC Prelims 2011 · Question 99 of 100

UPSC Prelims 2011 question on Bt Brinjal

A genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, has been developed. The objective of this is

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Answer: A. To make it pest-resistant

Correct Answer: To make it pest-resistant

Bt-Brinjal is a genetically modified brinjal variety developed to resist insect pests, especially the fruit and shoot borer.

1. To make it pest-resistant — Correct

Bt-Brinjal contains a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.

This gene produces a protein toxic to the larvae of fruit and shoot borer, helping protect the crop from pest attack.

2. To improve nutritive qualities — Incorrect

Improving nutrition is called biofortification.

Bt-Brinjal was not developed mainly to increase nutritional value.

3. To make it drought-resistant — Incorrect

Drought resistance requires genes related to water stress tolerance.

Bt technology in Bt-Brinjal is meant for pest resistance, not drought tolerance.

4. To increase shelf-life — Incorrect

Shelf-life improvement is a different objective of genetic modification.

Bt-Brinjal was developed to reduce pest damage, not to delay ripening or extend storage life.

* Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis, a soil bacterium.

* Bt crops produce insecticidal proteins called Cry proteins.

* Bt-Brinjal targets fruit and shoot borer.

* GEAC is the apex body for approval of GM crops in India.

* Bt-Cotton is the only GM crop commercially cultivated in India.

* Bt-Brinjal was put under an indefinite moratorium in India in 2010.

Bt-Brinjal was developed to make brinjal pest-resistant, mainly against fruit and shoot borer.

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