Catholic church leaders back biotechnology

ROME – Leaders of the Catholic Church have openly expressed their continuing support for biotechnology in agriculture in a forum organized by the Asia-Pacific Community Building Foundation held at the University of the Holy Cross here.

The forum centered on the "ethics and applications of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the Philippines" attended by church leaders and scientists.

Philippine Bishop Jesus Y. Varela, of the Diocese of Sorsogon, emphasized the importance of the role of biotechnology in developing countries, saying, "everything that can be done to surmount hunger, to avoid children becoming blind for lack of vitamin A, and to protect the environment, is welcome."

He added, "no human activity that does not present risk, and the GMOs are certainly not more risky than the foods we already consume."

Bishop Elio Sgreccia, vice president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, also expressed support for biotechnology. He said it can be "justified with the motive that they are for the good of man."

Scientists from around the world threw their support for biotechnology, saying it can become a "decisive weapon in the struggle against hunger and environment pollution."

Francesco Sala, professor of botany and vegetable technologies at the University of Milan, explained that the present model of agriculture activity is revealing some limits, which means that the world needs more food, and it must find "new methods" to increase productivity.

Sala expressed alarm over the use of anti parasites that can greatly harm the environment. Fertile soils have been over-exploited, and time will come that there will be areas that should remain unplanted. For these reasons, the GMOs are absolutely necessary, because they enable us to produce more and better in reduced areas."

"Contrary to popular belief, developing countries are also most interested in research into, production and use of GMOs." This was proclaimed by Antonio Gaspari, director of the master’s program in environment sciences at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum.

Gaspari also said that biotechnology is needed by developing countries in conserving its natural resources and protecting its biodiversity.