Testing of biotech products backed

The Crop Protection Association of the Philippines (CPAP) has expressed support for the continued field-testing of genetically modified corn in the country.

"We strongly support the need to evaluate the products of biotechnology such as genetically engineered or transgenic crops in the Philippines to determine if their benefits can be realized here to help our own small farmers," Simeon Cuyson, CPAP executive director, said.

Cuyson said the tests are rigorously regulated by the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines, as proven by the field trials in General Santos City and in Polomok, South Cotabato.

"We have great confidence in the NCBP. We strongly support the use of sound science as the basis for regulatory decisions pertaining to biotechnology. We support the careful, unbiased, science-based evaluation of technologies and products of modern biotechnology," Cuyson said.

He allayed fears raised by some sectors that the pursuit of more field trials will lead to unknown risks, citing that the Philippine has a comprehensive set of biosafety guidelines being implemented by the NCBP-the first to be developed in Southeast Asia.

"The Philippines was the first ASEAN country to develop a model set of biosafety guidelines, which are acknowledged as among the most comprehensive in the world," Cuyson said.

CPAP stressed the need for continued tests since this is the best way to determine if the technology is applicable to the Philippines and prove that the genetically modified products are safe. This process is being undertaken by other countries as well, particularly our neighbors Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and China.

"While the NCBP has to date approved two field tests with genetically engineered crops in the Philippines, worldwide, over 35,000 field tests have been conducted in some 40 countries under similar government supervision," Cuyson disclosed.