GENETICALLY modified (GM) plants could be the solution to our food security problem in the Philippines. But unlike the Americans, we Filipinos are still basically against GM plant foods like the Europeans.
But we could actually be deluding ourselves. Those of us in the wealthier classes who often eat imported foods—cereals, canned meats and fruits, confections, etc.—may really be eating GM material. In the United States, Canada and Mexico the lobby groups are not as strong as the European consumer and anti-GM food groups lobbying for stricter laws in identifying and naming GM food ingredients.
Because the anti-GM-plant lobby in Europe is stronger, manufacturers of finished food products are required by law to identify GM ingredients. Some countries have laws forbidding the mixing of GM and non GM material in a food preparation. This makes food products more expensive. In the United States, Mexico and Canada, it’s the states or provinces that make the GM rules. They are not as strict as the Europeans.
But those in the know frankly tell you under their breath that it is now impossible to tell which plant foods are GM and which are not. Why this is so is a result of cross pollination.
When genetically modified corn plantations are neighbor to those that are still the original varieties, the chances of the GM corn cross-pollinating the original are 100 percent.
There are supposed to be pollen barrier systems in Europe. These, we believe, are more feel-good mechanisms than actually effective measures against cross-pollination that makes all food plants eventually genetically modified.
A lot of rice being sold—and reaching the Philippines—must be from GM crops. We bought a lot of rice from India during the Macapagal Arroyo Administration. India has not been averse to the use of GM in enhancing its plant products.
India, however, is known to have rejected Golden Rice. This is what seems to be happening here as well.
