Greenpeace urges Agri Dept to 'get rid of monsters'

Genetically modified crops should be banished from Philippine soil as these destroy the ecology and could have toxic effects on consumers, environmental group Greenpeace said recently.

 

The group called on the Department of Agriculture to stop the promotion and the importation of GMO plants, saying these “monster crops” threaten the country's ecological balance and the public health. Greenpeace also picketed in front of the DA office, carrying models of “monster crops.”

 

“The scene might look funny, but the message is completely serious.  GMOs are monsters—they are dangerous to our health, to biodiversity, and to sustainable farming practices.  These ‘monsters’ have been attacking the Philippines for the past ten years, aided and abetted by the Department of Agriculture,” said Daniel Ocampo, Sustainable Agriculture Campaigner, Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

 

“However, we believe it is the task of the DA to protect the country’s food supply and ensure food security.  We are therefore calling on Secretary Proceso Alcala to do what is right by cancelling all GMO approvals and promoting safe and sustainable agricultural methods,” he added.

 

Greenpeace noted that the DA has never denied approval for any GMO.  The Bureau of Plant Industry, its arm tasked with regulating the entry of GMOs, recently announced that it has reviewed and approved 67 GMO varieties, eight of which are set to receive authorization for propagation.

 

Greenpeace stressed there are no convincing scientific proof that GMOs have no adverse effects on human health. No GMO has ever been subjected to long-term studies in confined laboratory conditions to eliminate possible risks to health, the environment, and adverse biological impacts, it added.

 

The environmental organization pointed out that tests on Bt, with a built-in insect-resistance gene, eggplant showed adverse effects on mice. The 90-day lab tests conducted by GMO proponents on mice fed with Bt eggplant revealed that the animals showed signs of toxicity in the liver and kidneys.  Studies on Bt corn varieties, already being planted in the Philippines, also show similar results.

 

Bt eggplant is currently being field tested in four provinces in the Philippines. Philippines has a recorded 500 varieties of eggplant and related species. 

 

Greenpeace also reported an independent study showing that the alien genes inserted into GMO crops can cause the plants to cross-breed to related species and become aggressive, problematic weeds that may threaten to overpower similar varieties. Organic varieties are thus most susceptible, with organic farmers threatened with losing certification .

 

 “We believe this is a clear betrayal of public interest, and a scandal that undermines national attempts to mainstream organic and ecological agriculture.  What is the merit in approving hundreds of GMO crops?  While the country has earned the notoriety of having the most GMO approvals in Asia, we have not gained any significant advances in agricultural productivity.  In the process health, biodiversity and farmers’ livelihoods are being sacrificed,” Ocampo added. — TJD, GMA News