Regulatory Milestone: High GABA tomato determined as Non-GMO by DA-BPI
Margust Dela Cerna | August 19, 2024
The High GABA Silican Rouge tomato by the Sanatech Seed Co., LTD was granted the Certificate of Non-Coverage from JDC No. 01 s. 2021 BPI-PBI-CNC No. 24-001. It was issued by the Philippine Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) last May 02, 2024 signed by the BPI Director, Dr. Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban.
The tomato contains high levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid that is known for its calming effect. It was developed using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology. Gene editing enabled the enhancement of GABA content upon the development of the F1 variety “Silican Rouge High GABA” from its parental line of the Silican Rouge variety from Pioneer EcoScience. With its five to six times enhanced GABA than regular tomato, it is also said to aid in lowering blood pressure.
After its initial commercialization in 2021, another significant milestone has been achieved. The product developer presented scientific evidence(s) that officially determined the product as a non-genetically modified organism guided by the DOST-DA-DENR-DOH-DILG Joint Department Circular No. 01 s. 2021. Moreover, the decision is based on the conducted Technical Consultation for Evaluation and Determination procedure described in DA Memorandum Circular No, 08 s. 2022, which provides guidelines in evaluating and determining products of Plant Breeding Innovations (PBIs).
The browning-suppressed banana by the Tropics was the first to receive the Certification of Non-coverage in the country, making the High GABA Silican Rouge tomato second known gene-edited crop determined as non-GMO exempted in regulations
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