UPLB: Bt eggplant research complied with standards

University of the Philippines Los Baños campus. PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK.COM

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA, Philippines — While it respects the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) that halted the commercial growing of genetically modified crops, the University of the Philippines in Los Baños (UPLB) has maintained that it complied with all standards in proceeding with the development of their Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) eggplant.

The UPLB’s Bt Eggplant was among the two genetically modified organisms (GMOs) covered by the cease-and-desist order by the CA that stopped their commercial propagation. The other product was the Golden Rice of the Philippine Rice Research Institute.

READ: CA stops commercial growing of GMO crops

In a statement last week, the UPLB confirmed that it was notified of the CA’s decision to issue a writ of kalikasan through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

The appellate court, in its April 17 decision, granted the petitioners the privilege of the writ. It also ordered concerned government agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, to submit their enhanced risk assessment and procedures in monitoring activities related to the development of GMOs.

The UPLB, for its part, insisted that it “consistently complied” with all government standards and protocols under the National Biodiversity Framework and all “related guidelines in the development of Bt eggplant technology.”

‘Safe innovation’

“This innovation is UPLB’s response to the urgent need to make eggplant production safer for farmers and the consuming public, increase farmers’ productivity and income, and improve the environment of the Philippines’ eggplant-producing communities,” the state university said in a statement.

“UPLB respects the decision and coordinates with the OSG for the proper course of action,” it said.

It also pointed out that, as a national university, UP is “mandated to pursue innovations in science and technology,” which they said includes the use of modern biotechnology.

“[This is] to help the Philippines attain its development goals in agriculture while advocating sustainability and environmental safety,” the university said.