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The battle is not over: Scientific evidence predicted to reverse moratorium on GM crops
Dr. Vivencio Mamaril, a GM crops expert, emphasized the role of scientific evidence in proving to the court that Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant are not dangerous to human health, nor do they compromise the health of the farmers.
In a recent biotechnology forum, Dr. Mamaril stressed that the battle is far from over as the Department of Agriculture is now focused on providing comprehensive data to guide decisions beneficial to the country. This is in response to the Court of Appeal’s requirement for additional information about these crops. In April 2024, the Court of Appeals ordered a halt to the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant following a Writ of Kalikasan issued by the Supreme Court in April 2023 that prompted by petitions from anti-GMO groups Greenpeace and MASIPAG. Their concerns centered on environmental safety, citing insufficient data. In response, Dr. Mamaril emphasized the critical role of scientific evidence, acknowledging the concerns raised by Greenpeace and MASIPAG. He affirmed that both Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant have passed rigorous safety assessments and have a track record of safe usage. "I trust that the scientists involved in these projects have the best intentions. Their aim is to develop products that benefit society without causing harm," Dr. Mamaril concluded. Despite Golden Rice meeting the standards of Joint Department Circular No. 1 and receiving approval from international food safety agencies, and Bt Eggplant being successfully grown commercially in Bangladesh since 2014, the court's ruling underscores ongoing debates about the safety of GM crops. “We believe that there is scientific evidence to meet the requirements of the court on the matter to satisfy their concerns on the safety of GM crops. Our scientists and researchers have been working hard for decades to raise the standards for these crops to protect the interest of the public all while ensuring food security,” CropLife Executive Director Ramon Abadilla said. |
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