If the Court Will Not, Who Will?

Science and technology has never failed to respond in the growing needs of the population for easier and more comfortable ways of doing things. Little did we know that scientists had gone beyond what we see that even the foods we eat are scientifically modified.

            The Philippines is the first country in Asia to approve for commercial cultivation a genetically modified (GMO) crop and now the twelfth biggest grower. The first to be introduced is the Bt corn which is genetically altered to resist pests and herbicide, delay ripening, and enhance their nutritional value. Considering the growing population and increasing demand of food, who would resist these projected results?

            The success of Bt corn entry in the Philippines in 2003 led to the application of more GMO and the approval thereof by the government. According to Greenpeace Southeast Asia spokesman Daniel Ocampo, no GMO application has ever been rejected. Not until the Supreme Court promulgated a decision which temporarily ban the import, field testing and commercialization of GMO foods in a case filed by a group led by Philippine Unit of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

            Now the issue runs on whether or not the Court may interfere in matters involving regulation of GMOs in the Philippines.

            The government is obviously in support of the importation of GMOs given the non-regulation of its entry since 2003. While it is true that this breakthrough aims primarily to meet the growing demands for food of the people, the projected results are still on tests for more than a decade. Meaning, plausibility is yet to be established. On the other hand, anti-GMOs contend that this breakthrough undermines the natural process posing threat on the environment and on the health of the consumers. This, too, however, is yet to be proven as tests for its plausibility continue.

The Court's ruling of temporarily banning GMOs is fair enough as no scientific certainty is evident for both the pros and cons of this breakthrough. Beneficial or not, there is a need to regulate as public interest so requires. As provided in our Constitution, the State recognizes the right of the people to a healthful and balanced ecology. This was actually the basis of the Court in issuing the Writ of Kalikasan against GMOs. The Writ is a legal remedy under Philippine law that provides protection of one's Constitutional right to a healthy environment and the only in the world.

The breakthrough on genetically altering food for quality and quantity is highly appreciated on its purpose. However, we could not risk a threat on our health and environment for science to prove desired results. If the Court will not interfere, then, who will?