GMOs

16 countries want to prohibit genetically modified crops Sixteen countries have alerted the European Union that they want to opt out of E.U.-approved GM crops.

MANILA – The Philippines is now the twelfth biggest grower of genetically modified (GM) crops. This was achieved in 2014 when 415,000 farmers planted Bt (Basillus thuringionsis) corn in 831,000 hectares, enabling the country to maintain its rank as among the world’s “biotech mega-countries” or nations that produce GM crops in 50,000 hectares or more,…

More than anyone else, it’s farmers who are caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to the debate over genetically-modified foods or organisms (GMOs). In any discussion of biotechnology, there is much opposition and controversy. On one side are the scientists and researchers who put forth the lab tests and field…

DAVAO CITY—Tests of genetically modified organisms (GMO) would be allowed in the city only on condition these are done in a “strictly confined environment.”

These two health topics are among the most controversial and emotional health issues today. Many groups have openly come out against planting and eating genetically modified foods. Likewise, there continues to be fear among many people that using artificial sweeteners can produce all kinds of medical problems, including cancer.

GRANTING that golden rice is safe and farmers become willing to plant it, there is a commercial issue that worries them. That is because the creators and proponents, which refers to themselves as a humanitarian organization, have entered into a contract with an international commercial biotechnology corporation.

AFTER lawmakers, farmers and consumers bombarded the golden rice project with criticisms during a roundtable discussion at the House of Representatives, a Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) official clarified the safety issues raised against the genetically modified rice variety.

THE Congressional Committee on Agriculture and Food is investigating in aid of legislation the field test of BT eggplant, a genetically modified vegetable reportedly causing health risks and allegedly intended for commercial release in the country this year.

GOLDEN rice (or Golden Rice with G and R in capitals, as the global Golden Rice Humanitarian Board, which is the proponent of the Golden Rice Project, prefers to have it written) could be the solution to one of the world’s most serious malnutrition problems: VAD. Vitamin A deficiency.

IS golden rice safe? Lawmakers share the fears of consumer groups, farmers and some scientists that this genetically modified rice variety poses serious heath risks. In a round table last August 23 at the House of Representatives, legislators, farmers and consumers raised safety issues before biotechnology experts from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippine…

THE battleground for a protracted war heats up as Department of Agriculture (DA) stood firm in its decision to allow science-based assessment and experiments of any genetically modified (GM) crop in the country despite vehement opposition by environmental groups—particularly Greenpeace.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines—Biotechnology, including genetically modified organisms, could help ensure food security for the country, according to the head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB).

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna ,Philippines – The global crop protection market is shrinking. This can be attributed to, among other things, the “biotechnology revolution” sweeping the international agriculture sector.

MANILA, Philippines – The forcible uprooting of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant planted at the UP Mindanao campus has earned the ire of academics and scientists who were appalled at what they describe as an “invasion,” saying it amounts to an “assault on the quest for truth.”

MANILA, Philippines – Vatican officials had expressed support for genetically modified crops (GMOs) but are unwilling to challenge bishops from the Philippines and other Catholic leaders who disagree, claiming GMO is being pushed by Washington, according to leaked diplomatic cables from the US embassy in the Vatican.

THE Davao City government on Friday stopped the test planting of genetically engineered eggplants at the University of the Philippines’ Mindanao Campus in Bago Oshiro on fears they posed risks to health.

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.

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna, Philippines — Still a biotechnology “mega-country”. The Philippines planted genetically modified (GM) corn in 450,00 hectares in 2009, sustaining its ranking in the league of the world’s biotech “mega-countries”.

MANILA, Philippines – The Court of Appeals (CA) has given the government clearance to allow the importation of Liberty Link Rice 62 (LLRice62), an allegedly genetically modified rice variety.

BACOLOD CITY: The livestock industry in Negros Occidental called on members of the provincial council to base their decision on “facts and figures” and hasten the repeal of the controversial anti-genetically modified ordinance (GMO) that has hogged the local headlines here for months now. 

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.

Iloilo City — Groups opposing the use of genetically modified organisms are calling for the compulsory labeling of products containing GMOs as a guide to consumers.

AN environmental group asked anew the Department of Agriculture (DA) to protect the welfare of Filipino consumers and farmers by prohibiting genetically modified organisms (GMO) crops in the country. 

Contoversial ordinance was crafted to turn Negros into ‘organic bowl’ BACOLOD CITY: After months of debate and growing opposition to the anti-GMO (genetically modified organisms) ordinance recently implemented in the Province of Negros Occidental, Gov. Isidro Zayco finally asked the provincial board council to subject the said law under a “thorough review.”

The top biotechnology expert of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has reassured consumers that all genetically modified organisms (GMOs) approved for commercial release, whether for food, feed or processing, are safe and pose no health risks to consumers.