Groups ask SC to stop tests of GMO eggplants

MANILA, Philippines – Government officials and environment group asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to stop the field testing of genetically modified eggplant that is allegedly harmful to humans.

In their petition for a Writ of Kalikasan, petitioners urged the high court to immediately stop the field trials of the of the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant.

Writ of Kalikasan is a legal remedy to address environmental concerns.

Greenpeace said field trials of Bt eggplant are currently being carried out in four provinces with plans to propagate the controversial crop in other places in the country such as in the Ilocos Region.

With its built-in insect-resistance gene, Bt eggplant poses risks of creating aggressive weeds that may wreak havoc to local agriculture and natural habitats, said Daniel Ocampo, sustainable agriculture campaigner of Greenpeace Southeast Asia

Petitioners which include Greenpeace, Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn and Bayan Muna party-list Representative Teodoro Casino said in their petition that precaution must be given on the scientific uncertainties on the safety of the GMOs.

“Bt talong (eggplant) and other GMO crops are dangerous to human health, and the environment.  Scientific tests on laboratory animals fed GMO food such as Bt eggplant, have shown that GMOs negatively affect their liver, kidneys and blood,” the petitioners added.

They argued that no long-term studies have offered evidence that these GMOs are safe to eat, warning that “GMOs can crossbreed and reproduce causing gene transfer to natural and wild plant varieties.”

Other petitioners include Dr. Charito Medina of the scientists and farmers group Magsasaka at Siyentipiko sa Pagpapaunlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG), lawyers Harry Roque and Maria Paz Luna, scientists Dr. Ben Malayang III of Silliman University and Dr. Romeo Quijano of University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, Catherine Untalan of Miss Earth Foundation, Leo Avila, representing the City Government of Davao, and activist-musician Noel Cabangon.

“It is now in the hands of the Supreme Court to see to it that our rights to safe food and a healthy environment are restored and that proper scientific assessments are respected,” Ocampo said.

Petitioners said that government regulators should focus on sustainable agriculture instead of loosely allowing the conduct of field trials and commercialization of such crops for eventual human consumption.

Greenpeace data show that the Bureau of Plant Industry, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, has issued 59 GMO approvals for food, feed or processing in the last 10 years.