SORSOGON CITY- Former Sorsogon Bishop Jesus Varela has cautioned the government against the use of genetically modified organism (GMO) in a recent forum on GMOs here.

The paper titled "The Ethics of GMO," was presented by Fr. Noli Alparce of the Social Action Center, and also presented earlier by Varela on Oct. 4 last year in Rome during the "Conference in the Ethics of GMO: Its Application of the Philippines."

"Valid concerns are being raised over the risk to health and environmental ecology by the use of GMO. The ethical approach to the use of genetic engineering in food technology must not overlook or gloss over the risks involved," Varela sais in his paper.

GMO is a product of genetic engineering. A specific gene is transferred from the same or related or unrelated species to produce new traits in an organism.

The government has allowed the commercialization of BT (bacillus thuringiensis)-corn in the Philippines despite protests from environmentalists for a moratorium and labelling of GMO products.

Varela, one of the four advisers of the Biotechnology Foundation of the Philippines, also urged an open discussion on GMOs among scientists and top officials involved in the production of GMOs.

'Society has a moral responsibility to feed the world's burgeoning population. The solution is not population control, but rather food production… food biotechnology promises us this possible, though there are risks," Varela said.

"We have not yet said the last word on the ethics of GMO. Whether GMO can and will deliver its promise to alleviate world hunger remains to be seen. It has enormous potentials. But the risks have to be addressed," he said.