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4 BIO LIFE January – March 2005 A sunrise industry THE evidence is in. Biotechnology offers: • more food with better quality • products to combat specific medical conditions In December 2002, the Philippine Government approved the commercial planting of genetically modified corn. This corn called Bt corn has built-in resistance to infestation by the Asiatic corn borer. Before December 2002, the Asiatic corn borer was a major problem in corn production. Since the borer resides inside the plant, it cannot be easily controlled by insecticide sprays. In cases of heavy infestation, up to 80 percent of the crop has been reported to have been lost. With Bt corn, the corn produced is unlikely to contain aflatoxin, because the kernels are not attacked by corn borers. Aflatoxin is a by-product of molds which grow on kernels damaged by borers. It has been identified as one of the most potent carcinogens or cancer-inducing agents. In the early 1980s, scientists successfully produced human insulin in bacteria called E. coli by transferring the human gene which codes for insulin into the bacteria. Since recombinant human insulin entered the market in the 1980s, virtually all diabetics have shifted to this type of insulin. Previously, insulin-dependent diabetics obtained insulin purified from pigs and cows. Insulin from these animals differ slightly from human insulin. The differences sometimes Benigno D. Peczon, Ph.D. have resulted in allergic reactions. Beginning this year, 2004, Filipinos can purchase human growth hormone produced using modern biotechnology. Heretofore, only minute amounts of human growth hormone could be collected and purified from its traditional sources. Proper administration of this hormone can address medical concerns such as physical growth which was almost impossible to successfully address in the past. More innovation are in the pipeline. Using genes obtained from daffodils which code for the production of the precursor of Vitamin A, scientists working in the Philippines are in the process of transferring these genes to local rice varieties to create Golden Rice. Vitamin A deficiency can result in blindness. At the Philippine Rice Research Institute in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Filipino scientists are performing research to create rice which is resistant to bacterial blight. Bacterial blight is one of the more significant causes of substan- tial yield loss in rice production. Filipino researchers at UP Los Baños are developing papaya which is resistant to viral ringspot disease. Viruses from this disease severely stunt productivity, virtually wiping out papaya plantations. A host of other researches aimed at improving Philippine agriculture and industry are in various stages of development at places such as BIOTECH at UP Los Baños, UP Diliman, Leyte State University, Central Luzon State University, etc. Research is also being performed in the health sector at various places, including UST, the Marine Science Institute at UP Diliman, UP Manila, and the Centro Escolar University. Filipino scientists are involved in scientific approaches to combat cancer and AIDS. Research on edible vaccines is ongoing. This would obviate the need for injections which many, particularly children, find disagreeable. Clearly, millions of Filipinos have benefited from the innovations already available. Millions more will benefit as innovations progress from the research stage to commercialization. Unfounded fears may delay, or worse, put a straightjacket on innovations. While there are risks in any innovation, the core idea is containment of risks. Innovators pursue research and development and government agencies create and implement policy with maximum focus on human safety and regard for the environment. Each and every innovation in biotechnology is examined on a case-by-case basis. The Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, Inc. (BCP), the membership of which consists of researchers, farmers, government functionaries, institutional employees, private citizens, as well as established institutions, was established to ensure the safe and responsible use of biotechnology. BCP exists to serve as your ally in progress and the betterment of the Philippine way of life – through judicious utilization of biotechnology. Dr. Benigno Peczon is the president and CEO of the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines
January – March 2005 BIO LIFE 5 Modern biotechnology and ‘People Power’ THE use and commercial application of the tools of modern biotechnology and its being propeople is one big irony that many would say and agree with. However, the reality is the contrary. It’s just that we were made to believe that this modern agricultural tool is a “technological monopoly” by the big multinational companies. The mention of the name of one biotech company might even instantly ring a bell, after biotech critics conjured images of a ‘Monster’ that is eating up farmers among other allegations. However, the fact is the immediate beneficiaries of these modern biotechnology applications are the majority of the population who will be receiving on their tables its blessings of good and safe foods. But if the detractors of modern biotechnology would really want to engage the corporations who have Alice Ilaga invested so much in research and development of this modern agricultural tool, giving them some reasonable right to get back a fair return-oninvestments, then the Philippine experience should show them a good lesson in public good and public trust. Through the Department of Agriculture’s Biotechnology Program, the modern biotechnology sector has somehow carved out a niche of its own in the public sector arena of modern biotechnology research. The DA Biotech Program has funded several research and development projects in the government research labs to develop local products of modern biotechnology using indigenous crops—such as our local hybrid rice and papaya, and other crops. If in the near future the product of these researchers will bear the ‘Pinoy GM’ fruit of this labor and reaches full commercialization, this will surely belie that great irony that this technology is “foreign domination” of local agriculture. In this case, this will be more than just Pinoy GM but rather it’s People’s GM. Isn’t that revolutionary Isn’t that People Power Alice Ilaga is the director of The Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program Implementation Unit.
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