Abstract

This case discusses the introduction of Bt brinjal in India in the backdrop of the controversy surrounding genetically modified (GM) crops in India. Monsanto Holdings P Ltd, a US based multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation that promoted GM crops in India through Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech (a 50:50 joint venture between Monsanto and Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company) found itself in the center of this debate. India, as a party to the Convention on Biodiversity and having ratified the Cartagena Protocol (CP) is committed to the safe handling of living modified organisms (LMOs) or GMOs. CP provides a broad framework on biosafety especially focusing on transboundary movements of GMOs and also covers seeds that are meant for intentional release into the environment, as well as those GMOs that are intended for food, feed or used in food processing. Bt cotton was the first transgenic crop to be released in India. After its introduction in the year 2002, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding Bt cotton. Its performance, impact on the environment, biodiversity and health of cattle has been widely debated. With the regulatory body for approving GM crops in India, Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), announcing its approval for large scale field trials for Bt brinjal in September 2007, some analysts opined that Bt brinjal would have a significant economic impact on farmers while some raised doubts on its safety and environmental implications.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the business environment for GM crops in India.
• Study the regulatory environment pertaining to GM crops in India.
• Understand the Biosafety protocol and its necessity and relevance to developing countries like India.
• Understand biosafety governance in India: its accuracy and lacunae
• Discuss the role of activists and researchers in influencing policies.

Keywords

Business environment, Regulatory environment, Sustainable development, Biodiversity, Public policy, Genetically modified crops, Biosafety, Cartagena protocol, Genetic engineering, Biotechnology, Agriculture, Monsanto, Mahyco-Monsanto, Bt cotton, Bt brinjal