Encouraging dialogues on biotechnological advancements, a webinar on trade and genome editing was held by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
In cooperation with the Program for Biosafety Systems of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI-PBS) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), the webinar, “Trade and Genome Editing in Agriculture: Harnessing the Potential and Navigating the Challenges,” served as one of the kickstarter activities of the 19th National Biotechnology Week.
Three speakers from IFPRI-PBS and the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agriculture (DA-BPI) shared their expertise and discussed emerging gene-edited technologies, regulatory policies, economic projections, and ways forward in biotechnology.
IFPRI-PBS Technical Consultant and Senior Program Manager Patricia Zambrano provided an overview of the economic benefits of genetically modified (GM) crops in non-industrialized economies. In her presentation, Ms. Zambrano highlighted the significant benefits of GM crops and their positive impacts on pesticide use, farmers’ health and labor, and biodiversity. She also provided some factors on the slow adoption rate of GM crops in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Meanwhile, Technical Consultant and Senior Research Fellow Jose Falck Zepeda from IFPRI-PBS presented the potential of genome editing for LMICs, in relation to regulation, governance, trade, and economic issues. Dr. Zepeda advocated an enabling policy environment that would unlock the potential of gene-based technologies such as gene editing.
Lastly, Biotechnology Core Team Officer-in-Charge Geronima P. Eusebio from DA-BPI presented the policies for products of plant breeding innovations (PBIs) in the Philippines. She discussed an overview of the policy development for the regulation of PBIs, formulation of resolutions based on existing biosafety policies, and processes for the request of Technical Consultation for Evaluation and Determination (TCED). TCED evaluates whether a product of PBI contains a novel combination of genetic material.
Also present in the webinar were DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora and IFPRI-PBS Asia Regional Coordinator and Technical Advisor Rashmi Nair, who delivered messages of support during the activity.
DOST-PCAARRD’s Crops Research Division Director Leilani D. Pelegrina, along with Biotechnology Focal Person Alissa Carol M. Ibarra, led the conduct of the activity, while Philippines Country Coordinator Carlo G. Custodio of PBS served as the moderator.
About a hundred local and international participants composed of students, academicians, and researchers joined the activity via videoconferencing.