Philippines approves genetically modified eggplant cultivation

The Philippines obtained official regulatory approval for the commercial cultivation of genetically modified eggplant, becoming the second country after Bangladesh to validate the splicing of a pest-resistant gene taken from the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacterium into the said vegetable. This was recently informed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

The Bt eggplant was first developed in India. This crop contains a natural protein from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which makes it resistant to the eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB), one of the crop’s most devastating insect pests. 

However, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), mentioned that Bt protein is safe for humans and animals since it was highly specific to the EFSB larvae. 

Worth mentioning that even though the Bt eggplant was developed in India, it is banned in the country. Meanwhile, the commercial production of Bt cotton, which uses genes from the same bacterium to resist the boll worm pest, is legal. 

The objective of developing the genetically modified eggplant is to maximize growers’ productivity by increasing marketable yield while also guaranteeing safe harvest for consumers, according to local media.

source: fareasternagriculture.com