Why this propaganda against Bt brinjal?

I was astonished to read the letter of Samshad Nowreen on Bt brinjal published on Nov. 1 in your column. I am a farmer and a government employee and tagged myself directly with farming and cultivation with modern scientific methods and technologies for many years. During the first exhibition of BR-11 rice (Gazi), some journalists rushed to publish news that it would be injurious to health and farmers would face loss. The same propaganda took place against IRRI rice and hybrid variety of rice.

It's clear to me that the writer of the letter doesn't know about bio-tech and genetically modified organism. Gene technology can change the biological pattern of any organ which was misinterpreted by the writer.

All insecticide companies in Bangladesh are afraid of facing loss in their business due to GMO technology. So those giant companies are spreading propaganda against modern technologies. Bt brinjal is a GMO product which can revolutionise agriculture in our country. I firmly believe one day science would be capable enough to produce all agricultural products without using injurious and costly insecticides.

Md. Ali Hossain
Upazilla social services officer
Trishal, Mymensingh