Court interferes in the food on our table

      Some organisms today are being genetically engineered in the laboratory by including the best physiological traits of another organism. Genetic engineering in organisms entered the field of Agriculture in order to increase crop yield and lessen the use of insecticide which in return will be more favorable to farmers and consumers. The first genetically modified food was approved in the United States in 1994. The widely planted genetically modified foods around the globe are corn and soybean.

      In the Philippines, genetic modification of organisms like corn, rice and eggplant are being studied and field trials are being conducted. One of the latest studies and trials is the introduction of an anti-pest gene from Bacillus thuringiensis to an eggplant.  Several groups filed a case against UPLB Foundation Inc., UP Mindanao Foundation Inc., Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Agriculture. Supreme Court ruled to stop the field trials and declared the Administrative Order No. 8 (Rules and Regulations for the Importation and Release into Environment of Plants and Plant Products Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology) of DA as unconstitutional. 

       Our Constitution states that “The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature”. It is true that we have a right according to the Constitution, but is there something wrong in searching ways on how to improve the crop yield and quality of food?

      There is nothing in the acts of researching and field testing which force all farmers to plant the genetically modified crops, neither planting all agricultural lands with genetically altered plants which may result to violation of our constitutional rights. The research, field trials and the actual cultivation of genetically modified crops are scientific and biotechnological advancement. This advancement will only give an option to farmers and consumers of what they can plant and eat so the research and field testing should not be banned.

      However, court may interfere in the mass farming and cultivation of these genetically modified plants to ensure sufficient availability of naturally bred foods. Filipino consumers should be left with options between the naturally bred and the genetically engineered foods.