GMO rice in RP still far fetched

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippines still has a lot of work to do to finally be able to introduce the entry of genetically-modified (GMO) rice, despite the 10-year study on this possibility.

 In an interview with Department of Agriculture (DA) assistant secretary Preceles Manzo, he said that although there is a big possibility that the Philippines will soon adopt the modernized farming concept of producing GMO rice, the government specifically the DA, and the BioTech Group of the national government, still have to work on a lot of things, specifically in establishing the “protocols”, such as further study, public/farmers consultation, and as well as implementing rules and regulations.

According to Manzo, although Filipinos have already heard and “a bit familiar” of the popularity of GMO rice in other countries, “they still fear the unknown.”

Thus, careful further study is now being done, as well as consultation with other international experts on GMO rice production, Manzo said.

The BioTech Group of the Philippine government is already on its 10th-year study for the possibility of introducing GMO rice in the Philippines, but there are still mounting job to be done.

The Philippines, the world's largest rice importer, is one of the several countries currently in field tests for GMO rice crops, Manzo said.

The Philippine-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) earlier said that Golden Rice, a Vitamin A-enriched grain it developed, is being bred into local varieties as well in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Vietnam as part of testing to ensure safety.

“We are one of the largest producers of GMO corn in Asia,” said Manzo, explaining that once the protocol of producing GMO rice will be established, the country may also become one of the largest producers of GMO rice.

Aside from rice, the Philippines is also studying on the GMO production of cotton, abaca, and banana, Manzo added.

Despite the hype about the wonders of genetically-modified (GMO) rice, the Greenpeace announced that only three GMO rice varieties have obtained regulatory approval for mass production in the US.

To date, the Philippines is still on the “experimental stage” in its bid to adopt the GMO rice production.

The availability of Golden Rice (produced through GMO) which contains genes from maize and other sources of beta-carotene, was expected to address the deficiency of the micronutrient, Vitamin A, especially among the poor in Asia.

IRRI revealed that over 90 million children in Southeast Asia suffer from Vitamin A deficiency, more than in any other region, and the introduction of Golden Rice in the Philippines may be largely meant to benefit public health instead of boosting yields to curb imports.

Manzo added that there is no timetable as to when the Philippines can officially adopt GMO rice production although IRRI said that the Philippines may follow China as the next Asian country to approve widespread planting of genetically modified rice crops, possibly as early as 2011.