I write on behalf of the University of the Philippines Mindanao in relation to the events of December 17, 2010 when officials of the Davao City Agriculturist’s Office implemented a Cease and Desist Order and uprooted crops which formed part of an experiment involving Bt Talong jointly undertaken by UP Mindanao and UP Los Banos.
After the uprooting, much was said and published about the experiment, primarily by those opposed to genetically-modified organisms, and most of it derogatory to and defamatory of UP Mindanao, especially in relation to biosafety and public health issues. We have kept our peace simply because we know that the claims made against us are untrue and we are confident that, in the end, our detractors will be proven wrong.
However, in the interest of fairness and truth, allow us to briefly state that:
1. UP Mindanao has not violated any requirements that would impact on biosafety and public health. The Cease and Desist Order is not based on violation of any of these concerns but only on an administrative lapse, i.e., the lack of posting of the Public Information Sheet (PIS). This, the Honorable City Mayor admits.
2. The lack of posting was not attributable to UP Mindanao but to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), an independent body whose members are appointed by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). UP Mindanao, consistent with its primary nature as an academic institution, proposed to hold various fora to serve as both notice and opportunity to educate; this, however, the Mayor declined. We note that the holding of fora would have been more than sufficient and would have constituted substantial compliance with the requirements of Administrative Order No. 8 of the Department of Agriculture which only required posting of the PIS.
3. UP Mindanao was doing confined field testing and not open field testing. UPLB was granted Biosafety Permit for Field Testing No. 10-01 1e by the Bureau of Plant Industry on 28 June 2010. The field testing was confined. All the conditions imposed by the regulatory agencies of government, which show that the testing was confined field testing, were strictly followed by the project team.
4. There was no danger of cross-pollination. An understanding of the nature of the crop would have put such fears to rest. The eggplant is a highly self-pollinated crop. The biology of the species makes sure that it is so. The possibility of insects pollinating eggplants outside the testing area is further diminished by the pollen trap plants around the Bt talong plants. Pollen traps do not refer to physical objects that enclose the testing area that will ensure no pollen escapes the testing site. Pollen traps, as set out in the permit, are living plants that attract insects. By attracting the insects, these plants trap the pollen that the insects may bring with them. Moreover, the 200 meter isolation distance is more than enough to prevent cross pollination.
5. There is no danger to public health. This much the Mayor has admitted in view of UP Mindanao’s compliance with the requirements of the experiment. Moreover, the eggplant does not use or incorporate any organism or substance that is harmful to man. This much, UP Mindanao has taken great pains to ensure.
Finally, the claim that UP Mindanao is beholden to private interests is the most hurtful of all. The experiment was part of legitimate research work that is expected of the University of the Philippines, the national university. To have it tagged as part of the agenda of supposed vested interests is extremely myopic and ignorant.
Prof. Nilo B. Oponda
Ph.D.Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs OIC,
Office of the Chancellor University of the Philippines-Mindanao
