What is next for the future of Bt ggplant?

International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA).

Dr. Emiliana Bernardo, a member of the Department of Agriculture’s Scientific and Technical Review Panel said that Bt is present in the Philippine soil and had been in use for years without any harmful effects. As it comes from the earth itself, Bt is very natural, according to Dr. Bernardo. In 1901, Bt was discovered to have an insecticidal property. By 1950s, it became a well-known biological insecticide.

The prospects for Bt eggplant are simple: higher yield, less environmental impact on the use of chemicals and no toxic residue on the fruits but these benefits are often overshadowed by accusations of health risks from GM crops by those opposing any form GM crop cultivation.

Currently, Bangladeshi farmers are currently benefiting from Bt eggplant, with an 80 percent reduction in chemical pesticide application on the crop, according to a study by the University of the Philippines LosBaños (UPLB). It was also reported that in Bangladesh, around 6,000 farmers in 36 districts are cultivating not just one but four Bt Brinjal verities (BARI Bt (Uttara), BARI Bt (Kajla), BARI Bt (Nayontar) and ISD006 Bt BARI.)

In 2016 too, a field-level study of a team of scientists from the UPLB and Cornell University showed that Bt eggplant is safe for nontargeted insects.

Dr. Lourdes D. Taylo, Bt eggplant study leader from the University of the Philippines Los Baños on the science, safety, and the potential actual benefits of modern biotechnology was quoted on saying that Bt eggplant could bring benefits to communities such as higher yield and income, reduce chemical use, and improve environmental health.

"We believe that the Bt eggplant is a healthier and safer alternative solution against the relentless insect pest, the eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB)," Taylo said.

Currently, farmers in Pangasinan and Davao have expressed support for Bt eggplant. All remains now is for the research, study and testing to continue. Surely, such efforts would be met with opposition by those who are against GM crops. But learning from the Bt corn experience, Bt eggplant will surely get enough momentum in the long run.