“The potential of biotechnology to increase agricultural productivity is one of the reasons why at DOST, we believe it is a cause worth pursuing”.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario G. Montejo stated in a message delivered by Undersecretary for Scientific and Technological Services Fortunato T. Dela Peña at the recently conducted “Stakeholders’ Interface of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops” held at Traders Hotel in Pasay City.
Montejo also pointed out that there is a “big elephant” in biotechnology. The public, even the scientific community, have varying stand and opinions on the effects of GM crops in human health and the environment. He underscored though, that DOST supports a science-based evaluation system that determines both benefits and risks of GM crops.
In addition to DOST’s support to biotechnology, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon shared that the Council will continue to strengthen the knowledge base of existing manpower and improve or enhance facilities for the conduct of biotech projects.
“We’ll focus more on genomics, proteomics, marker technology, genetic engineering and nanotechnology for plants, animals, microorganisms, and energy-related products and services”, Faylon said.
“With all these initiatives on biotechnology, it is now time to address challenges one at a time”, Faylon added.
Incidentally, the meeting was conducted to discuss R&D initiatives on GM crops towards addressing food security and environmental sustainability; deliberate on policy issues governing R&D on GM crops; clarify the facts and myths about GM crops; and create awareness on the potential of GM crops in meeting food and nutritional demands.
Organized by the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) through the Asia-Pacific Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology (APCoAB) and PCAARRD, the meeting was also supported by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) and Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Agricultural Research.
Sharing their R&D and regulatory initiatives on GM crops were representatives from APCoAB, APAARI, ISAAA, DOST, CropLife Philippines, Inc., Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, Philippine Rice Research Institute, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, DA- Biotech Program Implementation Unit, Institute of Plant Breeding-University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development, and San Jacinto KASAKALIKASAN Multipurpose Cooperative.
Closing the meeting was PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for Agriculture and Natural Resources Danilo C. Cardenas. Aside from reiterating that biotechnology has been vital to increase agricultural productivity, he also mentioned that it advances commercialization and improves risk assessment and management systems.
“However, the greater public has still to learn of and appreciate these developments”, Cardenas said.