UPLB now offering degree in biotechnology

MANILA, Philippines - The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) is leading the campaign to upgrade biotechnology education nationwide.

Chancellor Dr. Luis Rey Velasco said the UPLB has pioneered an academic program that grants baccalaureate degrees for agrobiotechnology which emphasizes the use of biotechnology to develop new crop varieties suited to Philippine conditions.

In contrast to traditional plant breeding that has gestation periods ranging from 12 years to 15 years, biotechnology can produce new strains using shorter production cycles, Dr. Velasco said.

“With biotechnology, because you’re directed, kung anong gene ang kailangan mo ilalagay mo dito (whatever gene you want, you can insert), that will shorten the gestation period to about half the time,” he said.

As a result of the UPLB’s efforts, the country has produced Pinoy GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

For Velasco, biotechnology develops new varieties with better qualities, something like designer plants, and these could be armed with genetic traits that make them durable to grow under extreme weather conditions.

Dr. Velasco noted that the search for new genetic material to improve the traits of plants and animals is such that even insects have become a significant source.

“Japan is into harvesting new molecules from insects with the use of biotechnology, serving notice that entomology can be more than interesting. They now source new gene material from insects,” Dr. Velasco said, adding that “there are many tools for biotechnology and we need to expand on them.”

“These new avenues for research compelled me to think seriously about BS Agrobiotechnology as a degree,” Velasco said.

Another reason for offering the degree, Dr. Velasco explained, is “to give students a new field that is characterized by thorough research relevant to current needs.”

“We need to offer a degree program that will be attractive to the young people,“ he added.