Friday, May 09, 2008 Roperos: Genetically modified By Godofredo M. Roperos Politics Also
WHEN I was in the California visiting a Filipino family in a farm area not far from San Diego a few years back, we noticed large tomatoes being used for the dishes the family cook was preparing for our lunch. When we noted the sizes of the tomatoes, we were told these were genetically-modified (GM).
Knowing the care, caution and controversy surrounding genetic intervention, I was gravely concerned. But out of respect to our host, I heartily ate the food with genetically modified tomatoes and even asked for seeds to bring home to plant.
Unfortunately, I lost the table napkin where I put the seeds or I might already have a garden of large tomatoes. But I might also have come face to face with the issue that still persists in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world: to go or not for genetically modified products. With the current global crisis, the issue needs resolution.
The first time I heard about GM products was some years back while traveling in Bukidnon on assignment. I learned that the government had allowed the planting of GM yellow corn, which was used for animal feeds. I was interested because yellow corn or masiao, is an important basic ingredient of poultry/fighting cock feeds. Since then, I have not heard of any further effort by the government to go full blast on GM products.
While the Philippines appear open-minded over the issue, other Asian countries are not. The chief concern is the health of consumers. Until such time that our scientists are sure these products are safe, we may never be able to enjoy the abundance of GM crops. But with the global food shortage, extreme need may overcome negative attitude.
Some countries like the Philippines are actually experimenting with uses of GM crops. Japan does not “grow GM crops due to safety concerns but it does import GM grains for use in making products, such as cooking oil, animal feed, and manufactured goods.”
In any case, global necessity, particularly in the matter of human survival, may drive the nations to push for GM food products. After all, the need to use GM food moves in parallel with our need to be concerned with human safety and health.
Life is the central goal of all our efforts to preserve human existence, and to ensure mankind’s survival on earth. But when we will be finally driven to a corner in the matter of food, we may be forced to avail of GM food.
