Republic of the Philippines

BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE

Institute of Education
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines 3010

Thematic Analysis

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Science Technology and Society

_________________________________

Joela Rose Arcega

Aira Mae Arreglado
Princess Bunalade
Vincent Carlo Tadeo
Anna Jean Velayo
Gratziella Vicmudo
Julie Ann Victoria
_______________
Student’s

Rita S. Durian-Joson
College Instructor

1st -Semester
S.Y. 2022-2023

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 Republic of the Philippines
BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE
Institute of Education
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines 3010

I. Introduction
In the Philippines, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have generated debate, or it
has become a large controversy due to whether it has a negative or positive effect on
the environment and everyone in it. Many individuals claim that GMOs are bad for the
environment, can result in "genetic pollution," and should not be consumed by humans
due to their effects. A letter addressed to Greenpeace International, a global campaign
group, urging it to "reexamine the experience of farmers and consumers worldwide with
crops and foods improved through biotechnology; recognize the findings of authoritative
scientific bodies and regulatory agencies; and abandon their campaign against GMOs,
in general," was signed by more than 3,500 scientists from around the world and more
than 110 Nobel laureates amid the controversy surrounding this biotechnological
development. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have already been thoroughly
investigated and analyzed by famous scientists in the fields of agriculture and genetic
engineering. Despite this, several issues, particularly regarding their effects, have been
brought up concerning GMOs. These worries include "genetic contamination," safe
human consumption, and potential detrimental economic and environmental effects of
GMOs in the Philippines.

Filipino researchers introduced genetically modified organisms (GMO) products to

Philippine agriculture as a means of battling hunger and nutrient deficiencies. The World
Food Program (WFP) estimates that one in nine individuals worldwide lacks sufficient
food to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are 795 million hungry people in the globe,
and many of them live in developing nations where 12.9 percent of the population goes
without food. “Bioengineered foods have been consumed for close to 20 years, and
during that time, no overt consequences on human health have been reported and/or
substantiated in the peer-reviewed literature.” According to Council on Science and
Public Health (2012). This is an even more serious issue for the Philippines. Among its
counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Philippines has the
greatest rate of poverty. According to World Bank data, the Philippines has a lot of work

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 Republic of the Philippines
BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE
Institute of Education
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines 3010

to do to reduce poverty and address public health issues like VAD with a national
poverty rate of 25.8%. Because GMO crops are engineered to develop quickly, farmers
can produce the same amount of food with fewer chemicals, water, and land than they
can with conventional crops. Food producers can charge less for GMO goods since
they can conserve resources. Foods like corn, beets, and soybeans may occasionally
have their prices reduced by 15% to 30%. In alignment with this, with GMOs in our
country, we can save up money on expenses in terms of agriculture.

Therefore, providing studies and relevant research regarding the pros and cons of
GMOs is indeed important. For we can have a concrete foundation on whether to settle
on a budget-friendly process but has a negative side. Or a thorough process, where it
can face challenges like the need for additional support in the use of a natural process
in terms of agriculture and exerting greater efforts for its implementation. These ideas
made us curious about the implications that arise from the fulfillment of this plan of
action. Also, the discovery of whether it is worth utilizing such strategies will be
discussed.

II. Objectives
This study aims to understand the nature of Genetically Modified Organisms and
identify their implications for our environment.
III. Content
Theme: Genetically Modified Organisms

Richmond, C. (2006) GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS IN THE PHILIPPINES: CAN

EXISTING BIOSAFETY REGULATIONS ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE
ENVIRONMENT?

Global concern persists about the use of genetically modified crops ("GM crops"). This
concern originates from the divergent perspectives of nations with a stake in either the
production or consumption of GM crops. Proponents of GM crops in developing
countries claim that the crops could increase food supply by improving plant resistance

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 Republic of the Philippines
BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE
Institute of Education
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines 3010

to pesticides. thereby alleviating the need for farmers to purchase chemicals that are
frequently expensive or unavailable. However. many organizations and countries are
hesitant or outright opposed to GM crops. particularly regarding their potentially
undesirable ecological and agricultural consequences.

As one of the first Asian nations to approve and commercialize a GM crop, the
Philippines serves as a useful case study for evaluating a developing nation's strategy
for regulating the environmental impacts of agricultural biotechnology in the face of
international pressures. Though among the first Asian nations to enact biosafety
regulations, the Philippines' existing regulations do not adequately protect the
environment because they lack enforcement power and leave gaps in coverage.
Legislation that would create a more streamlined regulatory process and endow the
Regulating agencies with stronger enforcement authority should be enacted.

Phillips, T. (2008) Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Transgenic crops and

recombinant DNA technology. Nature Education

It was mentioned that one example of a modified organism is agricultural plants. Some
benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are increased crop yields, reduced costs
for foods or drug production, reduced need for pesticides, enhanced nutrient
composition and food quality, resistance to pests and disease, greater food security,
and medical benefits to the world’s growing population. Advances have also been made
in developing crops that mature faster and tolerate aluminum, boron, salt, drought, frost,
and other environmental stressors, allowing plants to grow in conditions where they
might not otherwise flourish (Takeda & Matsuoka, 2008). Other applications included
the production of non-protein (Bioplastic) or non-industrial (Ornamental plant) products.
Several animals have also been genetically engineered to increase yield and decrease
susceptibility to disease. For example, salmon have been engineered to grow larger and

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 Republic of the Philippines
BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE
Institute of Education
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines 3010

mature faster, and cattle have been enhanced to exhibit resistance to mad cow disease
(United States Department of energy, 2007).

It was therefore proven that the production of food is way quicker and better with the
use of GMOs, it also provides convenience in the process of agriculture where you will
not waste energy on a long application of pesticides on a hot day. Bioengineered foods
have been consumed for close to 20 years, and during that time, no overt
consequences on human health have been reported and substantiated in the peer-
reviewed literature. (Council on Science and Public Health, 2012).

Bargona, S. (2019) the Philippines Approves GMO Rice to Fight Malnutrition

A breed of rice genetically engineered to combat vitamin A deficiency has received

approval from regulators in the Philippines. Supporters say "Golden Rice" could remedy
a condition that kills up to 250,000 children each year worldwide and blinds twice that
number, according to the World Health Organization. It's the first genetically modified
organism (GMO) designed to fight a public health issue to get a green light from food
safety officials in the developing world. Golden Rice has faced vigorous opposition from
GMO opponents throughout its development, citing safety concerns and other issues.
Protesters destroyed test fields in the Philippines in 2013.

According to the Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry, conventional and golden rice are
both equally safe. The grain is now free of any safety concerns, according to regulators
in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Adrian Dubock, Executive Secretary of
the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board, the nonprofit organization striving to bring the rice
from the lab to the field, stated that after 20 years of development, "it feels absolutely
amazing" to have reached this point. One gene from maize and one from a soil
bacterium are introduced to make rice golden. Rice grains are directed by them to
create beta carotene, a precursor to vitamin A that gives carrots and sweet potatoes
their orange color. As a traceable marker, a third bacterial gene is used.

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 Republic of the Philippines
BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE
Institute of Education
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines 3010

Children in the Philippines now have a higher than 15.2% prevalence of vitamin A
deficiency.

Raman, R. (2017) The impact of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in modern

agriculture: A review

The concept of modifying living organisms for consumption and domestication dates
back 10,000 years when human ancestors engaged in "selective breeding" and
"artificial selection," terms that broadly refer to the selection of parent organisms with
desirable traits. Genetic modification (GM) is the field of biotechnology that deals with
the manipulation of living organisms. Similar methods have reportedly been used to
create apples, broccoli, and bananas that are significantly more appealing for human
eating than their ancestors were.

With successful case studies in Australian canola and Indian cotton, GM crops have the
potential to reduce both present and future issues in commercial agriculture. However,
contentious research, including the 1999 Monarch Butterfly study and the 2012 Séralini
controversy, together with current issues related to insect resistance and possible
health hazards have harmed its reputation with the public and legislators, even
prompting full and partial bans in some nations. However, given the market's projected
development rate of 9.83–10% CAGR and potential research directions in
biofortification, precise DNA integration, and stress tolerance, it is expected to boost
commercial agriculture's production and prosperity.

Serapio Jr., M; Dela Cruz, E. (2016)

The Philippines has approved a new set of rules on genetically modified organisms after
a top court demanded an overhaul of previous regulations, providing relief to farmers

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 Republic of the Philippines
BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE
Institute of Education
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines 3010

and importers worried that any delay would spark a food crisis. The Philippines was the
first in Asia to approve commercial cultivation of a GM crop for animal feed and food in
2002 when it allowed GM corn planting. It has also allowed GM crop imports for more
than a decade. Around 70 percent of its corn output is GM. GMO critics argue the
technology poses risks to public health, while advocates say such fears have not been
scientifically proven and that high-yielding genetically altered crops would help ensure
food security as the world’s population grows.

All of the stated points are agreeable however the need for GMOs is not just for
consumers themselves but for the farmers as well. The effective process of GMOs for
farmers has a direct relationship with the consumer’s well-being. To date, no adverse
health effects attributed to genetic engineering have been documented in the human
population. (National Research Council, 2004).

IV. Synthesis
These studies confirmed that Genetically Modified Organisms provide a convenient
process for our fellow farmers in the industry, in terms of allotting a few budgets for the
use of insecticides and more, and therefore it is essential in terms of agriculture. Just
like Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living”, all of us have a
purpose in this world we stand on, and to examine is to build the foundation of our
knowledge as we leave a legacy at the end of time. Everything we need is already
provided: the relevant research, and studies, it is already provided with one click of a
button. All we need to do is be responsible for improving ourselves to prepare for a
better future in our pedagogical skills.

However, the implementation of GMOs was not easy, just like what was mentioned in
the intro, it has generated controversy, or to make it easier, it has formed a debate.
There are several issues that the students have found but they focused more on what is
general, and it increases antibiotic resistance. Meaning is that we are more prone to

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 Republic of the Philippines
BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE
Institute of Education
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines 3010

long series of dealing with different diseases due to antibiotic resistance or in other
words, antimicrobial resistance happens, and it is when germs like bacteria and fungi
develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. That means the germs are
not killed and continue to grow. Resistant infections can be difficult, and sometimes
impossible, to treat. Also, GMOs can be inaccessible for some who lack support in
terms of agriculture, especially in remote areas.

Even though, there are many mentioned problems and issues confronting GMOs we still
can’t erase the fact that it is important due to the convenience it provides for our farmers
because they will not spend lots of money anymore on pesticides and more. We can’t
miss the opportunity to have a better-quality agricultural process. Keeping up with the
changes and globalization is not easy, it takes a lot of studies to cope especially at this
time when applied technology is widely used not only for advancement but also for
adjusting to the modernization we experience nowadays. We can’t continue delivering
the latest and essential knowledge if we are stuck at the conventional pace, we must go
on beyond the box and make a legacy.

The students, therefore, say that they are in favor of the use of GMOs, for the
convenience they can provide to the farmers in our society. There will be no more
suggestions anymore for it is already estimated that there are 111 million people in our
country, and with the use of GMOs, the fast production of food provided for each one of
us will be quick because all of the food we get is in agriculture, Above all, we must be
responsible in knowing our limitations as individuals to avoid further risks and to
continue to support through being knowledgeable towards agriculture and GMOs, along
with this, is a bright future ahead of us.

V. Sources
Serapio Jr, M; Dela Cruz, E. (2017). Philippines signs new GMO rules, food industry
relieved. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-gmo-
idUSKCN0W90MK

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 Republic of the Philippines
BULACAN AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE
Institute of Education
Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Philippines 3010

Richmond, C. (2006). Genetically Modified Crops in the Philippines: Can Existing

Biosafety Regulations Adequately Protect the Environment: An Agricultural Law
Research. Article retrieved from
http://nationalaglawcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/richmond_genetically.pdf

Raman, R. (2017). The impact of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in modern

agriculture: A review. retrieved from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21645698.2017.1413522

Baragona, S. (2019). Philippines Approves GMO Rice to Fight Malnutrition. Retrieved

from https://www.voanews.com/a/science-health_philippines-approves-gmo-rice-fight-
malnutrition/6181343.html

Businessmirror. (2022). GMOs in the Philippines. Retrieved from

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/06/21/impact-of-gmos-in-the-philippines/

A book: 5 Human Health Effects of Genetically Engineered Crops. Retrieved from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424534/

Phillips, T. (2008). Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Crops and

Recombinant DNA Technology. Retrieved from
https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetically-modified-organisms-gmos-
transgenic-crops-and-732/

MedlinePlus. Genetically engineered foods. Retrieved from

https://tropmedhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41182-018-0124-7

Kennedy, M (2022). Pros and cons of GMOs: An evidence-based comparison of

genetically modified foods. Retrieved from https://www.insider.com/guides/health/diet-
nutrition/gmo-pros-and-cons

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