Traces of GMOs found in white corn in Sultan Kudarat – Greenpeace study

White corn sampled in Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao contain traits of genetically-modified corn varieties, according to data from a Greenpeace study released to the press Tuesday.

 

White corn grown in the Philippines is not genetically modified, unlike some of its yellow cousins, but the four samples of white corn kernels and grits bought from different stores in Tacurong market in Sultan Kuradat all had amounts of GM corn.

 

“(This study) proves that GMOs cannot be controlled. Yung mga companies na may hawak nitong mga GMOs na 'to, hindi nila naco-control yung produkto nila from spreading or contaminating other crops,” Daniel Ocampo, Sustainable Agriculture and Genetic Engineering campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia said.

He added it is difficult to determine the extent of contamination and where it came from. 

 

“Buti sana kung yung organic agriculture nagko-contaminate sa GM. Hindi e, laging lugi ang organic sa GM.”

 

The study

 

Two samples of corn grits were shown to contain 13 percent and 17 percent MON810 Bt corn, the pesticide-resistant variety, respectively. They were also proven to be 33-percent and 41-percent contaminated by NK603 RR corn, the Roundup Ready or herbicide-tolerant variety.

 

One sample of corn kernels was proven to have trace amounts of both pesticide-resistant and herbicide-tolerant varieties.

 

“This is alarming since most people who are aware of GM corn planted in the Philippines think that the commercial varieties being propagated are only yellow corn, thus this commercial sale of GM white corn variety is critical,” the report said.

 

“If farmers, seed developers and other consumers are not aware that there is GM white corn variety sold in the market then there is no way for them to segregate the traditional seeds from GM seeds.”

 

An issue of freedom

 

The study did not show how these white corn grits and kernels became “contaminated” by GM corn, and Greenpeace senior scientist Dr. Janet Cotter said we may never know what caused the samples to become mixed with pesticide-resistant and herbicide-tolerant varieties.

 

“Dapat ang mga farmers may choice kung ang gusto nilang itatanim ay GMO or hindi. Pero, because of contamination, nawawala na yung choice na yun,” said Ocampo.

 

It also undermines the choice made by consumers who opt not to consume GM corn. Ocampo said it also violates the National Organic Agriculture Act which states that for organic agriculture to be considered as such, "the biotechnology herein shall not include genetically-modified organisms or GMOs."

 

Preventing cross-pollination is possible

 

However, Dr. Saturnina Halos, a biotechnology consultant with the Department of Agriculture whom Greenpeace has previously described as "an aggressive defender of GMOs", says there are ways to keep GM and non-GM crops from cross-pollinating.

 

For instance, GM and non-GM should be planted 27 days apart. They can also be planted far from each other. The GM and non-GM corn varieties can should be planted 500 meters apart in order to prevent cross-pollination.

 

They can also be separated by tall crops of a different species to prevent pollinators, like bees and other insects, and wind from transporting pollen from one variety to another.

 

“These practices have been used for years by plant breeders to prevent cross-pollination,” she said in an email interview with GMA News Online, Thursday.

 

“GM crop farmers have the same rights as organic farmers to use the best farming system for them. Neighboring farms using different systems who would like to prevent cross-pollination between their varieties should plan their planting together,” she also said.

 

However, this plan to work together might be a difficult feat to achieve. 

 

In August, anti-GMO groups Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bikol and Sikwal-GMO destroyed a Golden Rice field-testing ground under the belief that it will harm their own crops.

 

It prompted a Change.org petition signed by over 6,000 plant scientists worldwide condemning the destruction of the field-testing site.

 

“No group, regardless of its intentions, has the right to condemn a technology without evidence. It is an unconscionable criminal act to destroy a field trial conducted in accordance with international safety norms,” their statement said.

 

To date, there is no conclusive study saying whether GMOs are harmful or not in the long run. — JDS, GMA News