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<br><br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">1-NEWS RELEASE: CROP BIOFORTIFICATION, KEY TO MEETING MDGs<br>2-NEWS FEATURE: ADDRESSING BIOSAFETY CONCERNS: HOW SAFE IS BIOTECHNOLOGY?<br><br>------------------------------------------------------------------------------ <br>
</font><a class="title" href="http://www.bic.searca.org/" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#336600" size="2"><strong>1-CROP BIOFORTIFICATION, KEY TO MEETING MDGs</strong><br></font></a><a class="date"><em><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#666666" size="2">by Jenny A. Panopio<br>
22-January-2009 SEARCA BIC Press Release</font></em></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br><br>Micronutrients are considered as “magic wands” as they are essential to growth, health, and wellness of all, especially the children and women. However, micronutrients deficiency is a global problem, contributing to world’s widespread malnutrition and high rate of children and women’s mortality. UNICEF and WHO World Food Programme estimate that more than 2 billion people in the world are deficient in Vitamin A, Iodine, Iron or Zinc. And most these people are deficient to more than one of these micronutrients. <br>
<br>According to Dr. Corazon Barba, nutritionist from the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), “Six out of the eight objectives in the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) are related to micronutrient deficiency. And together with conventional interventions, such as supplementation and industrial fortification, biofortification of crops with essential micronutrients could greatly contribute in the attainment of these MDGs”. Dr. Barba believes on the potentials of crop biofortification as one of the long term solutions in combating this widespread and persistent public health problem. Dr. Randy Hautea of ISAAA also trusts that biofortification can help in alleviating global malnutrition. <br>
<br>Crop biofortification is a strategy employed by agricultural research institutions to utilize genetic modification (GM) as well as conventional breeding of crops to enhance levels of essential micronutrient. The potentials and safety issues of biofortified crops to address micronutrient deficiencies was the focus of a symposium held last January 18, 2010 at SEARCA, College, Laguna. <br>
<br>During the symposium, Dr. Gerard Barry, Golden Rice Network Coordinator of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), shared the current biofortification initiatives in rice for micronutrients Vitamin A, iron, and zinc. Of all these efforts, the pro-Vitamin A Golden rice is considered to be in most advanced stage and is expected to reach commercial approval in the Philippines by the Year 2012 or 2013.<br>
<br>Like any other biotech/GM crops, biofortified crops, such as Golden rice, are assessed for food and environmental safety prior to commercial release. The Philippines has set-up policies and regulatory framework that governs such assessment prior to commercial use.<br>
<br>The symposium was organized by the UPLB Institute of Human Nutrition and Food in cooperation with the </font><a href="http://www.isaaa.org/" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA)</font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">, </font><a href="http://www.bic.searca.org/" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center</font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> and the </font><a href="http://www.bcp.org/" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">Biotech Coalition of the Philippines</font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">.<br>
<br>For more biotechnology updates in the Philippines, visit </font><a href="http://www.bic.agri.searca.org/" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">www.bic.agri.searca.org</font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> or email </font><a href="mailto:bic@agri.searca.org" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">bic@agri.searca.org</font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">.<br>
<br>------------------------------------------------------------------------------ <br></font><a class="title" href="http://www.bic.searca.org/" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#336600" size="2"><strong>2-ADDRESSING BIOSAFETY CONCERNS: HOW SAFE IS BIOTECHNOLOGY?</strong></font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br>
</font><a class="date"><em><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#666666" size="2">by Reynaldo V. Ebora, Carlo G. Custodio and Virginia G. Nevonario – Enriquez</font></em></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> </font><a href="http://www.bic.searca.org/bmarc/biolife_sep_dec09.pdf" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"><img height="226" alt="Download new BioLife Magazine!" src="http://www.bic.searca.org/home_files/biolifevol2_2009.gif" width="188" align="right" border="0"></font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br>
</font><a class="date"><em><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#666666" size="2">BIOLIFE 2009 Number 2</font></em></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br><br>THE PHILIPPINES established the first functional biosafety regulation in the developing world as early as 1990 through Executive Order 430 issued by the President Corazon C. Aquino. In 2002, the country became the first country in Asia to commercialize a transgenic crop for food, feed and processing. At present, the Philippines is the only Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) country commercially producing GM crops. ASEAN countries are in various stages of regulatory development with each country pursuing its own research and development (R&D) agenda. However, experience has shown that a functional biosafety system is a very critical factor in the successful commercial release of genetically modified (GM) crops; the absence of clear regulatory mechanism is also one of the stumbling blocks for the commercialization of GM crops. <br>
<br>Indonesia, for instance, has stopped producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton since 2001 after commercially planting it in limited areas in South Sulawesi, partly due to the absence of a clear regulatory mechanism. On the other hand, a very strict regulatory system practically makes adoption of GM technology a big challenge, if not an impossible one.<br>
<br><strong><em>Setting up the Philippine biosafety regulatory system</em></strong><br>The Philippines has recognized the potential benefits of the responsible use of biotechnology from the time of President Marcos to President Arroyo. The Philippine government has supported biotech R&D as well as the establishment of sound biosafety policies.<br>
<br>The National Institute of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology [which was later renamed National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH)] was established in UP Los Baños during the time of President Marcos. Side-by-side with the support to research was the establishment and development of biosafety guidelines to ensure the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology. In 1990, President Aquino issued Executive Order 430 instituting the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) that effectively regulates recombinant DNA research in the country. President Ramos also recognized modern biotechnology as one of the tools to realize improvement in crop production under the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA). Similarly, both Presidents Estrada and Arroyo issued policy statements affirming that modern biotechnology is an important tool for agricultural production and food security. In 2006, President Arroyo also issued Executive Order 514 to further strengthen the NCBP. <br>
<br><strong><em>Bt corn: Handling the Biosafety issue</em></strong><br>The first greenhouse evaluation of Bt corn in the Philippines was approved in September 1997. This was followed by field tests conducted in December 1999 to March 2002 under the supervision of the NCBP. Multi-location field trials were conducted by Monsanto Philippines in July 2001 to May 2002 and Pioneer Hi-Breed Philippines in June 2002 to July 2003.<br>
<br>With products nearing commercialization, the need for a set of regulations that would assess both short and long-term effects on the environment and human health was realized. The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) became responsible in regulating field tests and monitoring the eventual commercial propagation of GM crops and thus practically made adoption of GM technology possible. In April 2002, the Department of Agriculture (DA), through then Secretary Leonardo Montemayor, issued Administrative Order No. 8 – Rules and Regulations for the Importation and Release into the Environment of Plants and Plant Products Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology.<br>
<br>Bt corn was commercially released in December 2002. A study by Yorobe et al (2004) showed that while Bt corn seeds cost twice as much than their conventional counterparts, farmers realized greater profits. Expenses related to pesticide use were reduced and yield was higher compared to conventional corn.<br>
<br>After Bt corn, the Philippines approved next for commercial release GM herbicide-tolerant corn and GM corn stacked with both the insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant traits. As of June 2009, the total area planted to transgenic corn is estimated at 1,077,947 hectares, a clear proof of the high adoption rate of the technology by the corn farmers.<br>
<br><strong><em>Coming-more GM crops from the public sector</em></strong><br>Currently in the pipeline for commercial release in the Philippines are GM crops developed by public-sector research institutes. These are: 1) papaya ringspot virus (PRSV)-resistant papaya; 2) fruit and shoot borer-resistant eggplant, and; 3) delayed ripening papaya. These have been subjected to confined field trials (CFT) where their agronomic performance was evaluated while subjecting them to environmental risk assessment. CFT allows field evaluation without compromising environmental safety. Also, the experienced gained in handling private-sector GM crops is used in the field evaluation of GM crops developed by the public sector. While the Philippines may not have the most number of ongoing researches in the developing world, its functional biosafety system paves the way for the safe and responsible evaluation and the eventual use of GM crops developed by both the private and public sectors.<br>
<br><strong><em>Now in operation, Philippine Biosafety Clearing House (BCH Pilipinas)</em></strong><br>One of the main features of the Philippine biosafety regulatory system is transparency, i.e., decisions made related to GM crops are transparent, with due consideration to crucial confidential business information. In 2008, the Philippines established the web-based BCH Pilipinas (<a href="http://bch.dost.gov.ph/system/">http://bch.dost.gov.ph/system/</a>), in compliance to the country’s membership in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.<br>
<br>BCH Pilipinas basically makes biotechnology and biosafety information at the public’s fingertips. BCH Pilipinas is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the following government departments as Competent National Authorities: Departments of Science and Technology (DOST), Agriculture (DA), Health (DOH) and Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Information on risk assessment, transformation events for food, feed and processing approved by the government for importation as well as biosafety-related trainings, seminars and workshops can be obtained from BCH Pilipinas, which are regularly updated.<br>
<br><strong><em>Lessons Learned and Challenges</em></strong><br>One of the lessons learned in the commercialization of transgenic crops in the Philippines is the importance of having a transparent and predictable regulatory system that facilitates compliance by the technology developers, as well as builds public trust and confidence in the regulatory process.<br>
<br>Public participation is also key to biosafety decision-making. In the Philippines system, public participation is provided for through the community representatives in the Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) who are directly involved in the evaluation of biosafety applications. Any biosafety application cannot be acted upon by higher authorities unless it is favorably endorsed by the IBC, thus allowing direct participation of the public in the decision-making process, aside from giving them the opportunity to comment on the proposed field trails.<br>
<br>Like any other biological based system, biosafety regulations are not static and, in fact, are continuously evolving due to the development of new biotechnology products and the discovery of new knowledge associated with emerging technologies. It is therefore imperative that capacity-building of personnel involved in biosafety evaluation be constantly pursued in order to have a system responsive to the current technical and communication needs.<br>
<br>Sustained information, education and communication (IEC) campaign is essential so that the public is informed with the current biotechnology-related developments. Although debates on the pros and cons of transgenic technology are not expected to totally go away, the success of the technology can be partly measured in its safe and sustainable use, and its adoption by the consumers and the general public. Like any other new technology, a positive public perception is a must for the successful adoption of biotechnology in the country. Fortunately, current studies have shown that Filipinos generally viewed biotechnology positively.<br>
<br><em><strong>The way forward</strong></em><br>Considering the accomplishment of the Philippines in biotechnology R&D and the gains obtained from the adoption and actual utilization of GN technologies, particularly in agriculture, it is logical for both private and public sectors to sustain their current efforts to mainstream the use of biotechnology in the production system while taking biosafety aspects into full consideration. Indeed, biosafety is like a twin of biotechnology; it is an essential component for biotechnology to be successfully adopted by the public.<br>
</font><em><br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, is the Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development. Dr. Virginia G. Novenario-Enriquez is the Research Information and Utilization Division (RIUD) Chief of the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD). Mr. Carlo G. Custodio, is from the Program for Biosafety System (PBS) Southeast Asia.</font> </em><br>
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