An official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) over the weekend stressed the need to conduct multi-location tests on Bacillus thurin-giensis (Bt) eggplant to determine its safety and viability for possible commercial consumption, amid the opposition of critics to government-sanctioned tests for genetically modified (GM) crops. Dr. Candida Adalla, director of the Biotechnology Office of the Agriculture deparment (DA-BPO), maintained that the said tests are necessary for the country to develop a variety of eggplant that could resist the deadly fruit and shoot borer (FSB), which is known to decimate whole patches of the said vegetable.

Bt eggplant has been touted as a type of vegetable that uses practically no pesticide against the FSB.

Adalla noted that the only scientific way to find out whether Bt eggplant is appropriate for commercialization is when scientists are sure that it has nutrients beneficial to health and that it does not pose any risk to consumers and the environment.

She said the tests on Bt eggplant are being undertaken precisely to determine whether it is safe for consumption and commercially viable for growers in terms of better income and reduced reliance on pesticides.

Adalla said field trials would address the issues hurled at the GM crop at a recent training course for regulators and educators held at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) at the Munoz, Nueva Ecija.

The course, entitled “Biotechnology 101: Training Course for DA Regulators in the Region,” was conducted just as opponents of GM crops raised questions about the conduct of tests on such crops, particularly Bt eggplant.

In the training, Adalla called for the participants to learn the principles behind a biotech product, not only to appreciate it, but also to be able to speak about it as informed persons, and defend it from critics.

She said biotech products are innovations that underwent rigorous and detailed studies and that it would benefit people.

Adalla also assured critics that the government is committed to the safe and responsible use of this technology.

The training course aimed to enhance the regulators’ and educators’ knowledge about biotechnology, its principles, products and policies in the country.

It was organized by the DA-BPO, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture Biotechnology Information Center in collaboration with PhilRice.

The training course was part of the build-up activities for the celebration of the 6th National Biotechnology Week scheduled from November 21 to 28.