Genetically Modified Food: Appreciate not Terminate

In the course of history pest and insects have been a problem with farmers in producing healthy and edible crops and other vegetation. Using insecticides are a way to eradicate such invaders; however the crops also pay the price. In this modern time, researchers, agriculturist, and scientist have created a way to eradicate pest and insects without the use of poisonous chemicals, and that is genetically modifying organisms. However doubts to its safety still looms.

               Genetically modified organisms or food are reengineered vegetation wherein scientists were able to modify the genes of a particular crop that when eaten by pest is harmful to them. It is somewhat creating a bug shield for the crops and plants without the need of chemicals.

               A lot of countries have been growing, marketed, and produced such modified food and at the same time given the production of such regulations that must be strictly followed. However it is a different story in our country. Our country’s scientist and research labs for agricultural science have engineered a Bt talong (eggplant). Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis, a common soil bacterium that contains a gene which produces a protein harmful to FSB (Fruit and stem borer).  Scientists have incorporated this gene to eggplant to confer insect resistance. A revolutionary way of assisting our farmers in producing more crops without the worry of pest and chemicals. However news have reached the public that our Supreme court have denied and suspended the testing of such experiment. As a defense the high court stated the constitutional provision that the public has the right to a balance and healthy ecological system and that they have doubts as to the safety of the experiment. However scientist from our country, supported by other international scientist, have pleaded the court stating that there are scientific evidence and census as to prove the safety of such organisms.

               With that said, I do believe the Supreme Court was just upholding the law as to protect the public. Stating the Constitutional provision of having a Balance and healthy ecology, the public does deserve an environment as it would be safe. Under our 1987 constitution the General Welfare clause, wherein it provides that the governing body empowered by the document may enact laws to promote the general welfare of the people, sometimes worded as the public welfare. Hence there is nothing to blame for the acts of our courts in making sure the public is safe, even if it means suspending such experiments.

            However, the courts should not permanently suspend such research. The Supreme court, or any other court, could investigate or ponder around other facts as to not spoil the years of research and hard work that scientist and agriculturist have put on finding ways to make crops safer. In the end the research is still about the welfare of the people in a sense that it would provide the public greater quality of crops and vegetation and as well assisting farmers in pursue of a safer means to eradicate pest and at the same save them enough income as not to worry about the pesticides needed.

            Suspending such research will answer nothing, other than just creating another issue that will just distract us from what really needs much attention. The GMO’s may one day provide food for the public when there is shortage, and we will not know that if such research will not be given that chance.