Multinational seed firms Dow AgroSciences and Monsanto are looking into the local commercialization of multiple benefit and ‘second generation’ genetically modified (GM) corn.

Having successfully marketed since 2003 the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn that had a sole trait of being Asiatic corn borer-resistant, US-based biotechnology companies now eye markets for the GM corn that is more potent and resists broad types of pests.

Dow AgroSciences started in 2005 in its field testing of the "TC 1507," branded Herculex in the US.

"We already completed two seasons of field testing. Hopefully it will be approved for release next year," said Antipas R. Criador IV, regulatory and field research and development head of Dow AgroSciences, in an interview.

Monsanto also started this year testing a multiple-gene GM corn that it considers to belong to a second generation of GM corn. The first generation corn only has one gene.

"The second generation Bt corn Monsanto is developing has three genes," said an industry official.

If a corn plant has only one gene against borer resistance, the pest may develop resistance to this GM corn plant over a shorter period of time. But with the GM plant that has three genes, pests may find it more difficult to develop resistance to this GM plant.

Monsanto is completing this November its first season field trial on what is called the Mon89. Its trials are in Pangasinan, Isabela, Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato.

Dow AgroScience conducted its field trials in seven sites. These are Angadanan, Isabela; Marbel, Koronadal, South Cotabato; General Santos; Sumilao, Bukidnon; Tacurong, South Cotabato; Tupi, South Cotabato; and Banga, South Cotabato.

TC 1507, aside from being corn borer-resistant, also prevents corn infestation from lepidopterans such as catworm and earworm. However, the company does not yet claim resistance to other pests prior to further evaluation of its market strategy in the Philippines. The company also has yet to resolve with the Bureau of Plant Industry in certain data interpretation.

It claims to have achieved a good yield advantage for its variety.

"Based on field trial, we have a 99.7 percent advantage over non-Bt corn," said Criador.

Biotechnology companies see opportunities in starting out—before setting its foot in other Asian countries-- in the Philippines. The country is internationally-recognized for having a more established regulatory policy on biotechnology.

Out of 1,000 plants with the borer resistance, only three plants were found to have damage while the non-GM corn plant had 997 damages, claims Dow AgroScience.