Expert slams US lobby for entry of genetically modified organisms

BACOLOD City: The ongoing debate regarding the anti-genetically modified organisms ordinance gets heated with both sides getting emotional and some activists walking-out at the marathon en banc hearing at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol on Thursday.

Supporters from both sides presented their cases amidst a highly-charged environment including some council members taking offense at remarks made by resource speakers who were invited to shed light to the issue while they review the controversial ordinance which imposes a total ban on both living and non-living genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

An advocate of anti-GMO, Dr. Romy Quijano of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines slammed national agencies for allowing the entry of genetically modified crops and products in the country.

“Unfortunately, scientists are industry paid including our government and also because of the tremendous power and lobby of the United States,” Quijano said, alluding to alleged pressure from multinationals who market their GMO products in the country.

Quijano also stated that genetic engineering “can cause emergence of new diseases,” but admitted that while there have been researches on this, “the evidence remains inconclusive and under dispute.”

This was after he presented reports that allergy to soy skyrocketed in the United Kingdom by 50 percent just soon after genetically modified soy was introduced. He admitted that while there are no existing clinical trials on this claims, “it was based on time correlation” when GM soy was introduced in 1999. He however, also admitted that there are cases when non-GM soy can also cause allergies.

He also cited some cases in the Philippines, particularly in Capiz and Mindanao but said that “while we have the evidence, the regulatory body just don’t want to believe it,” accusing that “governments are suppressing evidence and does not move to look deeper into the possible effects” of GM foods “because of politics and profit.”

When queried why medical doctors continue to prescribe foods and other pharmaceutical that are GMO based if there is such a danger, Quijano said “this is because most doctors are ignorant about GMOs.” — Ma. Ester L. Espina, Manila Times