Policymakers attend online forum on commercialization of biotech products
Margust Dela Cerna | August 19, 2024
The Philippines has many biotech products in development, but bringing them to market requires collaboration among various stakeholders. Policymakers are crucial in speeding up the commercialization and adoption of biotechnology in the country.
To address this, ISAAA Inc., in partnership with the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA Biotech) and the Committee of Food Security of the Philippine House of Representatives, hosted a virtual policy forum titled “Regulatory Path to Commercialization of Biotech Products” on May 9, 2024. This forum aimed to inform Philippine policymakers about the development and commercialization of biotech products.
Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita, Executive Director of ISAAA Inc., opened the event by stressing the importance of consistent information sharing for agricultural biotechnology. She highlighted the forum’s goal to educate policymakers on the development, commercialization, and benefits of biotech products.
Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla of Cavite’s 2nd District welcomed participants, emphasizing the Committee of Food Security’s eagerness to learn from experts and explore regulatory practices to ensure biotech products are fit for commercialization.
Dr. Edgardo Tulin, a professor at Visayas State University (VSU), discussed BioMeg, a microbial inoculant for crops as well as its role in food security and addressing issues on climate change. Meanwhile, Dr. Leny Galvez from the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) explained that Bt cotton, an insect-resistant crop, combats cotton bollworm, leading to higher yields and income for farmers.
Dr. Gabriel Romero, who represented Dr. Dan Jenkins of Pairwise, discussed the challenges and opportunities of bringing gene-edited products to the US market. Pairwise’s gene-edited product was reviewed in just 60 days, avoiding the lengthy GM product review process due to the absence of a foreign gene, which the Philippines could learn from.
To address this, ISAAA Inc., in partnership with the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA Biotech) and the Committee of Food Security of the Philippine House of Representatives, hosted a virtual policy forum titled “Regulatory Path to Commercialization of Biotech Products” on May 9, 2024. This forum aimed to inform Philippine policymakers about the development and commercialization of biotech products.
Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita, Executive Director of ISAAA Inc., opened the event by stressing the importance of consistent information sharing for agricultural biotechnology. She highlighted the forum’s goal to educate policymakers on the development, commercialization, and benefits of biotech products.
Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla of Cavite’s 2nd District welcomed participants, emphasizing the Committee of Food Security’s eagerness to learn from experts and explore regulatory practices to ensure biotech products are fit for commercialization.
Dr. Edgardo Tulin, a professor at Visayas State University (VSU), discussed BioMeg, a microbial inoculant for crops as well as its role in food security and addressing issues on climate change. Meanwhile, Dr. Leny Galvez from the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) explained that Bt cotton, an insect-resistant crop, combats cotton bollworm, leading to higher yields and income for farmers.
Dr. Gabriel Romero, who represented Dr. Dan Jenkins of Pairwise, discussed the challenges and opportunities of bringing gene-edited products to the US market. Pairwise’s gene-edited product was reviewed in just 60 days, avoiding the lengthy GM product review process due to the absence of a foreign gene, which the Philippines could learn from.
