Bt Crops in the Philippines: Balancing Innovation and Risk

by: Ma. Shereena Tabur | Chromoplexy

PHOTO CREDIT: IRRI

The development of genetically modified (GM) crops in the Philippines has always been subjected to intense examination and scrutiny by the public despite the numerous advantages that GM crops like Golden Rice, Bt corn, Bt eggplant, and other GM crops may offer. Last April 17, 2024, the Court of Appeals (CA) decided to suspend the commercial propagation of Bt eggplant and Golden Rice by revoking the necessary biosafety permits and issuing cease and desist letters to the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) who are the main developers of the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) respectively. This action highlights public reception towards agricultural innovations and their health and environmental safety implications. This critique shall examine the current state of GMOs in the Philippines, the advantages and disadvantages of GMOs, and the necessary steps to ensure that Filipino farmers and society can safely benefit from biotechnology.

Current state of GM crops in the Philippines

The Writ of Kalikasan is critical to the current situation of Bt eggplant and corn production in the Philippines. The writ is a legal mechanism to halt environmentally harmful practices by enforcing one’s constitutional right to a balanced and healthy environment, often used against mining companies for environmental protection. However, in 2024, it prohibited Bt eggplant and Golden Rice commercialization.

With the decision of CA to deny permits that allow the production and commercial activity of GMOs, the Philippine agricultural sector is facing a major turning point.  Evidently, this decision based on reservations regarding the environment and health risks associated with GM crops is consistent with the long-standing anti-GMO movement in the country. A similar ruling was reached in 2012 which led to the dismissal of a field study of Bt eggplant, further highlighting the deeply-rooted anti-GMO movements in the Philippines.

Overall, these verdicts have discontinued commercial activity and research involving these crops until proper regulatory compliance and proof of safety have been established, serving as a severe blow for GMO advocates.

Pros and cons of Bt crops

Amidst the ongoing legal battle regarding GMOs, these crops still significantly benefit agriculture, the economy, and health. For example, the production of Bt eggplant addresses pest-related challenges. The GM crop was developed by the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) at UPLB, which has a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that acts as a natural insecticide. The addition of this protein aimed to protect the eggplant from the eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB), a pest that causes major crop loss annually. Field trials have shown high success rates in preventing damage and minimizing pest infestations. Moreover, excessive pesticide use is alleviated due to the nature of Bt eggplant. This proves that Bt eggplant not only increases crop yield for farmers but also lessens the cost of pesticides and labor, and reduces the risks associated with pesticides.

Golden Rice also offers several benefits. It was developed as a primary solution to Vitamin A deficiency. Golden Rice, or Malusog Rice, was modified to produce beta-carotene, a precursor for Vitamin A, in its grains. Once rice is modified to contain beta-carotene, essential vitamins can be provided to the diet of populations whose staple food is rice and do not have the luxury of dietary diversity. Bt eggplant and Golden Rice are just some of the limitless possibilities agricultural biotechnology can bring to society.

However, GMOs may have disadvantages in the long run. For example, in Bt crops, the targeted pests could develop resistance to the Bt toxin. This, in return, could create the need for increased pesticide use, which contradicts the original intention of developing Bt crops.

Towards a more socially beneficial future for GMOs

Several steps must be taken to encourage and effectively shift towards Bt crop production, especially transparency and continuous communication regarding various regulatory frameworks. It is also important to create a channel for constant interactions with the immediate stakeholders, such as farmers and communities, during the research and development process so that the biotechnology innovations fit what the stakeholders really need. Proper education, training, and awareness regarding the use of GMO crops should be offered to encourage informed decisions. 

To secure a sustainable future for the country’s state on GMOs and GMO crops, production and research processes must both be for the people and of the people—expressing the need for social inclusivity for the commercialization of GMOs. Therefore, local authorities and research institutions are challenged to heed the calls for a more socially responsible approach towards GMO production planning and operations. 

SOURCES CITED

Dionglay, C. (2024). Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant Battle Court Order in the Philippines. Science Speaks. https://www.isaaa.org/blog/entry/default.asp?BlogDate=5/8/2024

How do GMOs affect insects? (2024). Purdue University - College of Agriculture. Retrieved from https://ag.purdue.edu/gmos/gmos-insects.html

Normile, D. (2024). What a Philippine court ruling means for transgenic Golden Rice, once hailed as a dietary breakthrough. Science.org. https://www.science.org/content/article/what-philippine-court-ruling-means-transgenic-golden-rice-once-hailed-dietary

On Bt Corn, GMOs Importation in Relation to the CA Decision against Golden Rice, Bt Eggplant - Community Legal Help. (2024, May 13). Zsoriano Law. https://communitylegalhelp.org/on-bt-corn-gmos-importation-in-relation-to-the-ca-decision-against-golden-rice-bt-eggplant/

Philippines field research shows no negative impacts from Bt eggplant on non-target arthropods - Alliance for Science. (2020). Alliance for Science. Retrieved from https://allianceforscience.org/blog/2016/11/philippines-field-research-shows-no-negative-impacts-from-bt-eggplant-on-non-target-arthropods/

‌Sambrano, F. C. (2021). Filipino Research Shows Environmental Impacts of Bt Eggplant. Science Speaks. Retrieved from https://www.isaaa.org/blog/entry/default.asp?BlogDate=5/12/2021a

This article was originally published in GENEWS November 2024 Issue