Genetically modified crops spreading in Southeast Asia

Genetically modified crops spreading in Southeast Asia

Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Bangkok

The battle over introducing genetically modified (GM) crops in
Southeast Asia is being fought in the corn fields of the
Philippines and the papaya orchards of Thailand, among other
places.

The struggle has mutated to become more ideological than
scientific, with proponents arguing that the new, genetically
modified crops can bring about an agricultural revolution to
produce sturdier, faster-growing or pest-resistant crops while
boosting yields to feed the world's hungry.

Opponents, meanwhile, accuse advocates of the new technology,
particularly the administration of U.S. President George Bush and
the U.S.-based Monsanto Corporation, of dragging the rest of the
world into a brave new world of dangerous, genetically
manipulated "Frankenfood".

In the Philippines, where there are currently no laws
regulating the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs),
Monsanto was granted a permit last December to commercially
produce a genetically modified grain called Bt corn, despite
objections from environment groups.

Monsanto said Bt corn was resistant to pests, and the use of
the variety could improve production by as much as 40 percent
compared to traditional corn varieties.

Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo said the country's corn
farmers would benefit from the decision to allow commercial
production of the Bt corn, arguing it would increase their income
and productivity.

"Let us not be emotional about this issue," he said amid
persistent opposition from environment groups. "Let us see first
how Monsanto will be able to transfer this technology to the
small corn farmers who stand to gain from this development."

Scientifically known as bacillus thurigiensis corn, the Bt
corn is a genetically engineered crop in which a synthetic
version of a gene from soil bacterium bacillus thurigiencies is
inserted so that the plant produces its own Bt toxins to kill
pests.

A total of 126 hectares of farmland is being used to cultivate
Bt corn, mostly in the northern provinces, according to the
international environment watchdog Greenpeace.

Beau Baconguis, a Greenpeace campaigner against GMOs, said the
Bt corn would cause more harm than good.

"The commercial propagation unleashes an unpredictable and
uncontrollable genetic experiment across the country," she said.
"When the decision was taken to commercialize Bt corn,
authorities involved deliberately ignored an extensive body of
scientific research that indicates harmful ecological effects."

Baconguis noted that the Bt gene produces a pesticide that is
toxic not just to pests but to many other insects, like the
monarch butterfly, which are beneficial.

She also cited scientific studies indicating that Bt corn
releases Bt toxins into the soil through its roots, which may
cause soil degradation.

"Soil ecosystems are the basis of any agricultural system,"
she said. "The costs associated with long-term damage to soil
ecology cannot be underestimated."

The new technology got a boost in Southeast Asia's most
populous nation in mid-July, when a leading authority on Islamic
affairs in Indonesia gave his go-ahead for the consumption of
imported GM foods.

"Despite there being no official ruling on the GMO-based food
products, as long as it comes from plantations, such as soya bean
or corn, there are no problems," said Professor Aisyah Girindra,
head of the medicine and food supervision at the Indonesian
Ulemas Council (MUI).

The Indonesian Consumers Institute (YLKI), meanwhile, has
urged the government to issue regulations requiring all imported
processed foods, including those derived from GM products, to
undergo health examinations before entering the domestic market.

In Thailand, the Agriculture Ministry is currently testing
genetically modified papaya in the northeastern province of Khon
Kaen and in the central province of Nakhon Pathom.

Varoonvarn Svangsopakul, a Greenpeace genetic engineering
campaigner, said the testing risks contaminating neighboring
fields.

"Any open field trials are dangerous," she said. "Birds and
bees can spread the seeds and pollen can contaminate surrounding
fields. If you look what's happening in Hawaii, this has weakened
the trees and made them infected by black spot fungus."

A delegation of Hawaiian papaya farmers visited Thailand in
early July and warned their Thai counterparts of the dire
consequences of planting the gene-altered varieties.

"When GMO papaya was introduced five years ago they claimed it
was a solution to the papaya ringspot virus problem. But instead
it has caused serious environmental and economic problems for
farmers," said Melanie Bondera, a sustainable agriculture farmer
and member of the Hawaii Genetic Engineering Action Network
(HIGEAN) on Hawaii's Big Island.

"The developers of GMO papaya are saying that it's ready for
commercial release in Thailand," Varoonvarn said. "But the
message from Hawaii is very clear. GMO papaya is an ecological
disaster."

Varoonvarn accused the U.S. government of pushing GMO
technology in Asia in order to benefit American companies,
particularly Monsanto.

"U.S. policy is driven by big business," she said. "They have
invested a lot of money in this. The American companies are
trying to control food crops. Monsanto is very influential in
government."