Mass production of genetically modified ‘talong’ in RP looms

KIDAPAWAN CITY—Field tests of what environmentalists described as “frankentalong” (genetically modified eggplants) have spread to a North Cotabato town that serves as the province’s main vegetable producer.

The Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (Searice), a nongovernment organization, said it continues to oppose field tests of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant because of the risks of contamination of other plants.

Tests are now being conducted in Kabacan, North Cotabato, a vegetable-producing area.

‘Frankenfood’

Critics of genetically modified crops have branded these as “frankenfood” after Frankenstein, a fictional monster supposedly created from body parts of different people.

Aside from Kabacan, field tests of frankentalong are also being conducted in six other areas in the country, including Sta. Rosa, Laguna, where the first frankentalong were harvested.

In a statement, Searice said it has been asking Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala to stop the tests of frankentalong and other genetically modified crops.

Frank Esdrilon, Searice program coordinator, said the group “will continue hounding government agencies to look into the possible effects of Bt-talong.”

“Scientific tests have not yet ruled out possible risks to human health,” he said.

Esdrilon said the government should also release more information on Bt-eggplant, also dubbed as fruit and shoot borer resistant (FSBR) talong.

“Our calls for the release of information about the Bt-eggplant were met with silence by agencies under the supervision of Secretary Alcala,” Esdrilon said.

No transparency

He said the silence of agencies involved in the development of frankentalong was contrary to the National Biosafety Framework. “There was little transparency,” Esdrilon said.

In Camarines Sur, Alcala said while he allowed the field tests of frankentalong, he would not allow its commercial production yet.

Genetically modified eggplant is not necessary, Alcala said, because local varieties of eggplants are abundant.

Created in 2000 by Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Co. (Mahyco), an Indian subsidiary of Monsanto, the Bt-eggplant is produced by artificially integrating genes of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a microbe from the soil that kills fruit and shoot borers. It produces its own poison to kill and be resistant to pests.

The Indian government has withheld approval of the commercial production of Bt-eggplant amid opposition.

“It was there already when I came in,” Alcala said.

“It must be proven that it will not harm us,” said Alcala, an advocate of organic farming. Carlo Agamon, Inquirer Mindanao; and Juan Escandor Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon