Biotechnology a tool, not a weapon, say Padolina, experts

Local scientists from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB) still support that biotechnology must be considered a positive societal tool rather than a cruel curse.

This amidst criticisms of some groups that biotechnology, or the application of scientific and engineering principles to material processes by biological manipulation, is an infamous cancer-causing progeny of science that must be phased out immediately.

"It (biotechnology) is a tool for development," said Dr. William Padolina, Deputy Director General for Partnership of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in a Biotechnology week symposium sponsored by the UPLB National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development, College of Public Affairs and STARRDEC last Jan. 26 held also in UPLB.

Padolina, also former BIOTECH Director and Science and Technology secretary emphasized that biotechnology is very useful to agriculture, environment, health, trade and industry, very much contrary to what most opposing sectors claim.

"We are growing at a fast rate, and there's not much land anymore, "said Padolina. "(But with biotechnological innovations) we don't have to open new lands."

Padolina explained that since biotechnology increases productivity of existing land areas, therefore, lands become more efficient than if these are to be cultivated using old-fashioned farming.

He added, "We want the best in medical care, in cars, phones but we are content to use farming technology that is 50 years old. This is a difficult position to understand."

Padolina called for a change in mindset - bottomline for trade is competitiveness. "We have to make sure our farmers are competitive. Agriculture has to be made competitive, otherwise, we will remain a country of consumers (and not producers)," Padolina quipped.

Ultimately, he said, with biotechnology the country will have the technology to harness existing land to provide the food needs of the nation while preserving the integrity of the environment.

Likewise, since Genetically Modified Crops (GM crops) require less use of agriculture chemicals, there is a corresponding reduction in the degradation of land.