GMO IN THE PHILIPPINES

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the Philippines have been controversial,

with a number of people around the world saying they have negative impacts on the
environment, can cause “genetic pollution” and are not good for human consumption.
However, amidst the controversies surrounding this biotechnological development,
more than 110 Nobel laureates and over 3,500 scientists all over the world have signed
a letter addressing and urging Greenpeace International “to reexamine the experience
of farmers and consumers worldwide with crops and foods improved through
biotechnology; recognize the findings of authoritative scientific bodies and regulatory
agencies; and abandon their campaign against GMOs, in general, and Golden Rice, in
particular.”
Last year, the Philippines approved Golden Rice—a genetically modified variant of rice–
to combat malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency in the country. This makes the
Philippines one of the first countries to do so. Fairly recently the number of countries
that approved GMO crops has increased to four. Despite this approval, critics have not
retracted their criticisms and continue to raise the possible impact of approving GMO in
the Philippines.
In this article, we look at the GMO debate holistically and see what experts say about
this decision:
In the case of the Philippines, this is an even bigger problem. The Philippines has the
highest poverty incidence among its Association of Southeast Asian Nations peers. With
a national poverty of 25.8 percent, according to World Bank data, the Philippines has a
lot of work to do to alleviate poverty and address issues of public health, such as VAD.
This is where GMO, such as the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn, Bt talong (eggplant)
and Golden Rice, enters: as a solution to relieve and, eventually, end the battle against
VAD and hunger. Moreover, it also aims to give the farmers a chance to provide food
while farming sustainably and efficiently without the threat of having shortage or attacks
of insects that kill their crops, GMO experts and advocates say.
Scientifically, there are several researchers and agriculturists who have vouched for the
advantages of GMOs in the Philippines. However, its use, production, safety, and
sustainability remain in question for many sectors. These issues continue to be a
contentious point against GMOs.
The Good and The Bad”: The Pros and Cons of GMOs
In the field of agriculture and genetic engineering, genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) have already been studied and tested with careful investigations by renowned
scientists. Despite this, people have raised a number of concerns about GMOs,
specifically on their impacts. These concerns include: the possible negative economic
and environmental impacts of GMOs in the Philippines, “genetic pollution”, and safe
human consumption.
In 2017, the Makabayan bloc filed House Resolution 1294 that seeks an inquiry into the
development of Golden Rice in the country. In the resolution, Reps. Arile Casilao of
Anakpawis, Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna, Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas of
Gabriela, Antonio Tinio and France Castro of Act Teachers and Sarah Jane Elago of
Kabataan have directed the Committee on Agriculture and Food to conduct an inquiry to
determine Golden Rice’s impact on health, environment and farmers’ rights.
Most of the contentions against GMOs in the Philippines revolve around their
impact. Lawmakers and various sectors see the production and
commercialization of GMOs as something that can negatively affect the country’s
economy, health, and environment. The biggest concern, however, lies in the
sustainability of the crops.
Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc said agricultural research must be based on
the farmers’ capacity and needs. Additionally, they argue that the production and
use of GMOs must also take into consideration the diversity and complexity of
the environment. They cite the abundance of natural resources, particularly that
of local rice varieties, which are better suited for the country and assures a better
yield for farmers.
The house resolution further argues that “Genetically modified crops are not
sustainable means to provide food for the people, as they greatly compromise the
environment, livelihood of the farmers and health of the consumers”.
The Makabayan bloc argued that Golden Rice is “merely” a promotional product
of agro-chemical corporations using public institutions “to make possible the
social acceptance of genetic engineering in food and agriculture,” further saying
that the technology, methodology, seeds and variety to advance the Golden Rice
are being owned by Syngenta, an agro-chemical transnational corporation that
profits by investing in the global seed industry.