Filipino scientists and experts stressed that commercially available genetically modified (GM) crops are safe, in a training course for regulators and educators titled “Biotechnology 101: Training Course for DA Regulators in the Region” on August 16 to 19, 2010 at the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Thoroughly evaluated
Dr. Saturnina Halos, Chair of the Biotechnology Technical Advisory Team of the Department of Agriculture (DA) ensured the safety of available GM crops by explaining that each crop went through a series of thorough and detailed studies, based on the country’s biosafety regulation. Each part, from source to structure of the gene, and biosafety concerns, from pollen movement (gene flow) to effects on non-target insects and environment, was assessed.

Basically, the GM crops were compared with non-GM counterparts, under strict conditions, in the trials. That is why all released GM crops are proven to be as safe as non-GM ones.

These studies were also reviewed by different independent scientists in the country called the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP). Dr. Halos considered the STRP as a “strength” in the country’s biosafety regulation.

“We [Filipinos] are very scrupulous [when it comes to GM crop regulation],” said Dr. Halos in Filipino. “We don’t just accept evaluation of studies abroad. We have to have our own reviews and evaluation of those studies. We have our own scientists.”

Bt eggplant trials must go on
Dr. Candida Adalla, Director of the DA-Biotechnology Program, held that the multi-location field tests on the fruit and shoot borer resistant Bt eggplant should continue to shed light on its safety and performance. She said that the field trials would clarify the issues being hurled at the said GM crop.

Commercialization and adoption of Bt eggplant would greatly benefit eggplant farmers, consumers, as well as the environment, based on studies conducted by Dr. Serge Francisco and his team. These were published in a book titled “Projected Impacts of Agricultural Biotechnologies for Fruits and Vegetables in the Philippines and Indonesia.”

Model biosafety framework
The country’s strategy for biosafety, the National Biosafety Framework, is considered a model framework by other Southeast Asian countries, said Dr. Halos.

She reported that because of this feat, the Philippines had been visited by representatives from Peru, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea and other countries.

In the Philippines, a GM crop first goes through several years of development, and then another five to six years of regulation, before it hits the market, said Ms. Julieta Estacio, Head Secretariat of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Biosafety Committee. Each step in the development and evaluation of GMOs needs to be approved by the DOST Biosafety Committee and/or the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI).

Estacio related that in the United States, the only requirement to conduct genetic engineering in the laboratory is to notify the US Department of Agriculture. In the Philippines, laboratory work on the genetic engineering still has to be approved by the DOST Biosafety Committee.

Facts about GM crops
Being an expert of GM crops, Dr. Halos also clarified and emphasized the following points:

Bt eggplant is not the first food crop in the country. The Philippines had been importing many GM commodities. In fact, GM ingredients are already in products such as beer, cheese, gelatin, some juices, and detergents. Dr. Halos also said that very few people realize this fact.

Available GM crops support sustainable agriculture. Bt corn is proven as safe as its non-GM counterpart to the environment, and observed and concluded as beneficial to farmers, parallel with the requirements of sustainable agriculture (“sustains productive environment” and “economically beneficial to farmers).

GM crops can help agriculture cope with climate change. GM crops either improve crops for climate change, such as the drought tolerant rice and corn, and insect resistant and herbicide tolerant crops being developed; or reduce damaging processes to the environment, for instance reducing 14.8 billion kg of carbon dioxide release, or taking 6.6 million cars from the road from planting of GM crops in 2006.

There is a strategy to delay insects from developing resistance to Bt. Dr. Halos said insects eventually develop a resistance to Bt crops, that is why practice of Insect Resistance Management (IRM) is required for Bt corn growers.

Valuable innovations
In the training, Dr. 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, particularly the Filipinos.

She also assured 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. (Sophia M. Mercado, SEARCA BIC)

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Jenny A. Panopio
Special Project Coordinator & Network Administrator
Biotechnology Information Center
SEAMEO SEARCA
College, Laguna 4031
Email: jap at agri.searca.org
Tel: (63-49)536-2290 loc 169 or 406
Tele/Fax: (63-49)536-4105
URL: www.bic.searca.org