Philippines second country to approve genetically modified eggplant

The Philippines has approved the commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) eggplant, making it the second country after Bangladesh to do so. The GM eggplant, also known as Bt eggplant, is resistant to the eggplant fruit and shoot borer, a common pest, due to a natural protein from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquitic and Natural Resources and Development has confirmed that the Bt protein is safe for human and animal consumption. Despite its development in India, the GM eggplant is not allowed in that country.