The debate is still ongoing. But in the Philippines, as in the rest of the world, its actual use has gained the upper hand over all the talk and protests against it.
In truth, genetically modified (GM) food has been eaten by Filipinos every day since it was first introduced in 1996, said Dr. Saturnina C. Halos, consultant, Biotech and Climate Change of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Halos was one of three speakers at the recent Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Media Seminar on Food Safety, organized by the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
One of the pillars of biotechnology in the country, Halos said an everyday Filipino breakfast can include hotdog, cheese, coffee, fruit juice, eggs, corned beef, and even chocolate bars—all containing genetically-modified Textured Vegetable Protein or TVP.
The TVP used in many of these food products are made from genetically modified soybeans. TVP is used as a substitute for or added to meat.
“Karamihan sa hotdog at corned beef natin ay may [Many of our hotdogs and corned beef have] TVP. Karamihan sa cheese ay may [Many of the cheese have] genetically modified enzyme,” she said.
Halos added that there are some 2,000 types of food preparations with genetically modified soybean, corn, canola, and cotton.
36 GM CORN VARIETIES
Scientists define GM or biotech crops as plants used in agriculture, where the DNA has been modified using genetic engineering methods. In most cases, the aim is to introduce a new, not naturally occurring trait to the plant.
According to Halos, there has been an increase in GM crops over the years. Internationally approved GM crops include corn, yellow squash, egg plant, cotton, papaya, alfalfa, arctic apples, canola, and soybeans.
In the Philippines, there are 36 varieties of GM corn. This type of corn is herbicide tolerant and pesticide resistant.
Halos disclosed that Cagayan Valley has more than 200,000 hectares planted to GM corn. Occidental Mindoro has 15,000 to 16,000 hectares planted to GM corn.
All over the country, a total of 800,000 hectares out of 2.7 million hectares of land are now growing GM corn, she said.
“Our livestock industry, mamamatay po yan kung walang [will die without] GMO. Gumagamit sila ng [They (livestock raisers) use] genetically-modified soybean and GM corn,” Halos said.
She added that GM corn technology adoption has increased farmers’ incomes, which in turn has fueled the rural economy.
Halos said more and more Filipino farmers have switched to GM corn because of higher yield and income, availability of financial assistance, pest resistance, and good product quality.
HYBRID CROPS
With more than 40 years of teaching, research, and extension in biotech, Halos explained, however, that all GM crops are hybrid crops.
As such, seeds from harvested GM crops cannot be planted again without experiencing a drastic reduction in harvested yield.
“Harvests can go as low as 50% the original yield,” she said.
GM corn seeds sell at P5,000 per hectare, which can be costly to small-income farmers if they have to keep buying seeds every harvest season.
Still, the biotech expert said that the cost of buying GM seeds is offset by reduced costs in labor, pesticide, and fertilizer.
She added that yield of GM corn can reach to 15 to 17 tons per hectare.
“For every P40,000 input, you can realize an income of as much as P200,000,” Halos said.
STRINGENT REGULATIONS
Dr. Nina G. Gloriani, professor College of Public Health, UP Manila and President of the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP), said that the Philippines is the first in Asia to regulate GM crops.
The Philippines has a stringent regulatory system for approving GM food crops and products, Gloriani said.
“Biotech Foods Safety Review takes 10-14 years starting with laboratory research, contained greenhouse evaluation, contained small scale field trials, pre-commercial testing (feed use), to commercial release,” Gloriani said.
The BCP president told anti-GM activists: “Stop scaring people. Let Science prevail. Biotechnology food products are as safe as its non-bio counterparts, although kung ako ang tatanungin, sasabihin ko [but if you ask me, I’d say its] safer.”
GOLDEN RICE
Gloriani’s presentation on the safety of GM crops was reinforced by Dr. Russel Reinke, Lead, Healthier Rice Program, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), with a PhD in Plant Sciences from the Australian University.
Reinke espoused on the good qualities of golden rice, a GM crop intended to address Vitamin A deficiency in the diet.
“Golden rice is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene, which is converted into Vitamin A inside the body as needed and gives the grain its golden color,” Reinke said.
He added that golden rice is genetically modified and is expected to be grown just like ordinary rice.
Unlike GM corn, golden rice seeds can be planted over and over again. “Farmers do not need to buy the seeds again and again. Golden rice is not a hybrid,” Reinke said.
PRO, ANTI GM CROPS
Anti-GM activists look at GM crops as serious risks to the environment. At the Debating Europe website (http://www.debatingeurope.eu/), an argument against GM crops posed this scenario: “Their seeds travel well beyond fields where they are grown. Cross-pollination creates herbicide-resistant ‘super weeds’ that threaten other crops and wild plants. Tampering with crops’ genetic makeup impacts down the food chain: scientists say GMO’s have decimated butterfly populations in the United States, or led to birth defects among other animals. By the time we find out the long-term impact, it could be too late.”
But according to Gloriani, GM or biotech foods have been declared as safe as their conventional counterparts by the following institutions: World Health Organization, UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the National academies of science in Australia, Canada, India, Mexico, UK, USA, and the Philippines.
And while the debate goes on, the planting of GM crops all over the world continues. G
The saddest thing in the world is that they have done all of this behind the backs of the Citizens of the WORLD and what I do not think these governments and farmers realize is they ARE AND WILL BE SLAVES to the controlling seed and chemical companies. They are not able to save, trade or sell their seeds. These seeds produce and then the following year the farmers have to buy seeds all over again and the toxic chemicals that are mandated to spray or else not be able to receive crop insurance.
German and Controlling Foreign Interests, IN CONTROL OF THE WORLD FOOD SUPPLY, AGAINST ALL THE DETAILED AND SUCCINCT AS WELL AS IN DEPTH STUDIES THAT HAVE EXPOSED SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS TO HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT ALONG WITH ALL OF IT’S OCCUPANTS.