78 ScTS 11: Science, Technology and Society

The rise of technologies and great advancements is always coupled with

uncertainties and issues not only because of its newness or because it may
sound impossible but also because it might also affect other aspects may it be
social rights, safety, environment, society, health, or life itself. In this lesson, we
are going to discuss issues and social concern raised against GMOs and at the
same learn how these issues are being reconciled with

At the end of this lesson, the learner will be able to:

1. Appreciate the vital part of the government in policymaking and

regulation for biosafety
2. Articulate the issues and ethical concerns raised against genetically
modified organisms and nanotechnology

How did the quarantine period impose by the government during

this pandemic went for you? What do you think is the role of the
government in response to emerging technologies?

Issues and Concerns

Along the process of accepting, adopting, developing, and utilizing this

technology, there has been a lot of controversial debates and arguments
among anti-GMO groups and other health and environmental advocates.
Major concerns of health and safety were raised along with the continued
efforts of stakeholders for a positive understanding, perception, and attitude
towards biotechnology. This is not only true in the country but also in other
countries most especially where adoption and development in the field are
fast-paced. Maghari and Ardekani (2011) pointed out the following concerns
in a review article:

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Genetic Engineering Techniques

This concern is conceived from the idea of recent studies on higher

eukaryotic cells that have shown the interaction of genes and even proteins
implying that gene traits work in the cell by inter-communication. This
suggests that one gene might not determine one trait. Moreover, genes
incorporated into the genome could reside anywhere carrying mutations, and
the fear that vectors might contain several other elements that might be a
factor in the process.

Health Risks

Groups and individuals who are against genetically modified foods and crops
always point out the possibility of risks to human and animal health. It is
pointed out that animals fed by the crops have been harmed or even died.
Young abnormal sperm count in rats, abortion, and infertility in livestock
grazing on some GE maize and corn have been reported. However, these
studies became controversial as the same studies conducted by independent
companies did not yield the same results. Foodborne allergies are said to
have increased over the past 10 years in the USA and UK and skin allergies
were reported in India for some cotton farmers. Concerned individuals
suggest essential thorough safety and long-term effect studies of GM crops
before its release.

GMOs and human rights

The right of consumers to make an informed choice derived from the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights along with other important human
rights not included in this declaration; the right to adequate food and
democratic participation are also considered to be relevant in the analyses of
GMOs (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2001). As
some countries are making stringent regulations, other countries are
producing large volumes of GE foods but are lenient on labeling. This issue
does not suggest negative labeling like “GM-free” but more specifically
labeled information on its changed characteristics and the external source of
the inserted gene.

Occupational Exposure

This issue is more concerned with nanotechnology and the exposure of

workers on the field to nanoparticles and nanomaterials. Because there is
always a goal for occupational safety in the workplace, the lack of scientific
clarity or certainty of the potential toxicological effects of nanomaterials and
nanoparticles on health is also being raised. The worker’s acceptance of the
risk should also go beyond just the free choice of the worker in terms of work
and working conditions but also must consider the certainty and severity of
such risks (Schulte & Salamanca-Buentello, 2006). Yes, there are always
health hazards anywhere, even in our respective homes and schools but this
issue would suggest regulatory action required to cover the risks and its
extent.

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Policy and Regulation

All of the issues and concerns among others fueled GMO debates that have
been going on for years. Considering all these notions and arguments led to
the drafting of biosafety guidelines in carrying such experiments until the final
formulation of protocol and framework ordered under the mandate of
specialized committees and governing bodies of which will be discussed
further in this lesson.
As for nanotechnology, it is only in 2009 that the National Nanotechnology
Roadmap recognizing the post-industrial technology in the country was
launched by the Department of Science and Technology attached to the
Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and
Development. Thus, there are no available control mechanisms or regulatory
standards specific to nanomaterials yet. However, this does not mean that
the country does not have existing guidelines on new technologies. As early
as the ’90s, the country already started a regulatory framework for
biotechnology and specific guidelines in the following years.
In this lesson, we will consider the Biosafety Regulations in the Philippine. As
such, the following topics and sections are extensively referenced from the
National Biosafety Framework. (http://www.ncbp.dost.gov.ph/#).

National Biosafety Framework (NBF)

The “National Biosafety Framework (NBF)” is a combination of policy, legal,

administrative and technical instruments developed to attain the objective of
the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety with NCBP as its lead body. The
Cartagena Protocol covers “the transboundary movement, transit, handling and
use of all living modified organisms that may have adverse effects on the
conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into
account risks to human health” (National Academy of Science and Technology,
2009, p. 31)

How do government agencies play their part in this framework?

National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines

Originally issued under E.O 430 issued by Pres. Corazon Aquino in the year
1990. Among its mandates are; the identification and evaluation of potential
hazards in GE experiments, formulation and review of national policies on
biosafety and guidelines in risk assessment, and recommend development and
promotion of research programs to establish risk assessment protocols and
assessment of long-term effects of bioresearch. NCBF became the lead body
with the new National Biosafety Framework (NBF), promulgated under E.O 514
prescribing the guidelines for its implementation, strengthening the National
Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines. The NCBF with other agencies shall
lead in the mandate (National Academy of Science and Technology, 2009, pp.
42-34)

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Department of Science and Technology

The DOST, as the premiere S & T body in the country, shall lead in ensuring that
the best available science is used and applied in the adoption of biosafety
policies, measures, and guidelines, and in making biosafety decisions. DOST
shall be in charge of evaluating and monitoring regulated articles for contained
use.

Department of Agriculture

The DA, as the agency primarily responsible for the promotion of agricultural
development growth and rural development to ensure food security and
contribute to poverty alleviation, shall be in charge of addressing biosafety
issues related to the country’s agricultural productivity and food security. It
shall take the lead in evaluating and monitoring plant and plant products
derived from the use of modern biotechnology, as provided by DA AO No. 8,
series of 2002.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

The DENR, as the agency primarily responsible for the conservation,

management, development, and proper use of the country’s environment and
natural resources, shall ensure that environmental assessments are done and
impacts identified in biosafety decisions. It shall also be in charge of evaluating
and monitoring regulated articles intended for bioremediation, the
improvement of forest and wildlife genetic resources.

Department of Health

As the principal authority on health, the DOH shall formulate guidelines in

assessing impacts on health posed by modern biotechnology and its
applications. It shall be in charge of evaluating and monitoring processed food
derived from or containing GMOs.

Department of Foreign Affairs

The DFA shall participate in promoting and protecting Philippine interests on

biosafety in bilateral, regional, and multilateral forums.

Department of Trade and Industry

The agency shall participate in relation to biosafety decisions which have an

impact on trade, intellectual property rights, investments, and consumer
welfare and protection.

National Commission on Indigenous People

The agency shall participate in relation to biosafety decisions which have a

specific impact on indigenous peoples and communities

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Department of Interior and Local Government shall participate

The agency shall participate in relation to biosafety decisions which have an

impact on the autonomy of local government units.

Institutional Biosafety Committee

IBCs are required to be established in institutions involved in genetic

engineering and/or hazardous biological work and are tasked to evaluate and
monitor the biosafety aspects of their biological research.

Biosafety Guidelines

It is in the biosafety framework where the detailed guidelines on carrying out

experiments involving GE are carefully laid out. From the submission and
review of research proposals, biosafety proposals, and on-site inspection of
experiments and trials as well as community participation up to
commercialization, these activities are made sure to have followed every
detail. We will not discuss every detail or each guideline however we will try to
understand its purpose (National Academy of Science and Technology, 2009,
pp. 18-19).

Guidelines for Contained Facility Test

This refers to the guidelines set for contained use that refers to any operation,
undertaken within a facility, installation, or other physical structures, which
involves genetically modified organisms that are controlled by specific
measures that effectively limit their contact with and their impact on the
external environment.

Guidelines for Field Tests

This refers to the guidelines set to any intentional introduction into the
environment of a regulated article that passed the contained use and confined
test for the purpose of research and development and for which specific
confinement and mitigating measures may be imposed. Field trials may be
conducted on single or multiple sites.

Guideline for Commercialization

This refers to guidelines set for the commercial propagation defined as the
delivery for introduction into commerce of a regulated article for regeneration
into plants or plant products for consumption by humans or animals.

Decision-Making Process

When we make decisions and life choices, we just don’t decide for no reason.
Those choices were made because of reasons even the slightest “because I
want to”, are aligned by our principles. The same goes for this biosafety
framework that stipulated the principles that must govern the decision-
making process. Because relevant decisions must be built on strong
foundations considering the proper exercise and execution of human rights,
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the following decision-making principles must govern biosafety decisions

(National Academy of Science and Technology, 2009, pp. 40-41):

Standard of Precaution

In accordance with Article 10 (par. 6) and Article 11 (par. 8) of the Cartagena

Protocol on Biosafety, the lack of scientific certainty or consensus due to
insufficient relevant scientific information and knowledge regarding the extent
of the potential adverse effects of a genetically modified organism on the
environment shall not prevent government departments and agencies from
taking the appropriate decision to avoid or minimize potential or adverse
effects.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessment shall be mandatory and central in making biosafety

decisions. It shall identify and evaluate the risks to human health and the
environment, and if applicable, to animal health.

Role of Environmental Impact Assessment

The application of Environmental Impact Assessment to biosafety decisions

shall be determined by concerned departments and agencies subject to the
requirements of law and standards set by the NCBP. Where applicable and
under the coordination of the NCBP, concerned departments and agencies
shall issue joint guidelines on the matter.

Socio-economic, Ethical, Cultural and Other Considerations

Consistent with Article 26 of the Cartagena Protocol, concerned departments

and agencies may consider socio-economic considerations arising from the
impact of regulated articles on the conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to
indigenous and local communities.

Decisions under the Cartagena Protocol

Competent national authorities may choose to adopt Articles 7 to 13 of the

Cartagena Protocol or issue their own respective rules and regulations that are
consistent with the Protocol. In all cases, decisions under the NBF shall fall
within the timeframes required under the Cartagena Protocol.

Monitoring and Enforcement

Concerned departments and agencies shall monitor compliance with the

conditions attached to approvals and authorizations in a manner that is
transparent, and in coordination with other agencies, including local
government units, and other stakeholders.

You’ve finally reached the end of the module on GMOs and nanotech. But
before you go and proceed on to another interesting topic, let me quote an

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excerpt from a message of a former NCBP Chairperson Dr. Estrella F.

Alabastro which states “for it is imperative that as scientific horizons expand,
so too must the ethical and social dimensions that govern them”

 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Please cut this portion - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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