Expert warns that moratorium on GMO crops will put more Filipinos at risk because of pesticide dependence
Margust Dela Cerna | August 19, 2024
National Academy of Science and Technology member Dr. Eufemio Rasco Jr. expressed his expert opinion that the moratorium imposed by the Court of Appeals against BT eggplant and Golden Rice will put more Filipinos’ health in danger.
According to the academician and researcher, contrary to claims that GMO crops are harmful to human health, extensive research and testing have proven that they are in fact, safe for consumption. He added that further studies indicate that farmers are more in danger from the use of synthetic pesticides using traditional eggplants since they are not resistant to plant borers.
“Most of our eggplant farmers use synthetic chemical pesticides to destroy eggplant and shoot borers that destroy their harvests. Even consumers documented their experience of purchasing eggplants that look fine on the outside but are rotten and damaged on the inside. This is because not only are these chemicals ineffective against the pests, they are harmful to the health of the farmers and consumers, as well,” he explained.
According to the academician and researcher, contrary to claims that GMO crops are harmful to human health, extensive research and testing have proven that they are in fact, safe for consumption. He added that further studies indicate that farmers are more in danger from the use of synthetic pesticides using traditional eggplants since they are not resistant to plant borers.
“Most of our eggplant farmers use synthetic chemical pesticides to destroy eggplant and shoot borers that destroy their harvests. Even consumers documented their experience of purchasing eggplants that look fine on the outside but are rotten and damaged on the inside. This is because not only are these chemicals ineffective against the pests, they are harmful to the health of the farmers and consumers, as well,” he explained.
Dr. Rasco said that one advantage of GMO crops is that they are resistant to this pest
so farmers do not need to spend excessive amounts to purchase these synthetic chemicals.
“The second adverse impact of using the spray is the environmental damage that it causes. When farmers spray these chemicals, they also spray the soil. The spray also goes into the air. These chemicals seep through the soil and reach the water towards the tributaries when it rains, so there is a high probability that these pesticide residue are consumed by the consumers one way or the other when it merges with the environment,” he said.
In essence, Dr. Rasso cited studies that these chemical residues become part of the food consumption of regular Filipinos, which contradict the CA’s claim that stopping the use of GMOs will protect the consumers’ health. “So you see, BT eggplant is actually the answer to these problems as it reduces farmers’ dependence on harmful pesticides. In other words, the problem of delaying its use is actually the reason why farmers will suffer, why the environment will suffer and the consumers’ health will be put in danger.
In essence, Dr. Rasso cited studies that these chemical residues become part of the food consumption of regular Filipinos, which contradict the CA’s claim that stopping the use of GMOs will protect the consumers’ health. “So you see, BT eggplant is actually the answer to these problems as it reduces farmers’ dependence on harmful pesticides. In other words, the problem of delaying its use is actually the reason why farmers will suffer, why the environment will suffer and the consumers’ health will be put in danger.
