UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 97
What are the reasons for the people's resistance to the introduction of Bt brinjal in India?
- Bt brinjal has been created by inserting a gene from a soil fungus into its genome.
- The seeds of Bt brinjal are terminator seeds and therefore, the farmers have to buy the seeds before every season from the seed companies.
- There is an apprehension that the consumption of Bt brinjal may have adverse impact on health.
- There is some concern that the introduction of Bt brinjal may have adverse effect on the biodiversity.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C
Explanation: Public objections to Bt brinjal concerned biosafety and biodiversity, not fungal transgenes or universal “terminator” seeds.
Statement/Item-wise Analysis:
1: Incorrect - The introduced Bt gene comes from Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium rather than a soil fungus.
2: Incorrect - Bt brinjal is not inherently produced using genetic-use-restriction (terminator) technology.
3: Correct - Some groups raised questions about potential health effects and safety assessment.
4: Correct - Concerns included effects on non-target species and brinjal genetic diversity.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - includes incorrect items 1, 2; omits correct item 4.
B: Incorrect - includes incorrect item 2; omits correct item 3.
C: Correct - includes exactly the valid statements/items and excludes the invalid ones.
D: Incorrect - includes incorrect items 1, 2.