Call Prefix : PR-AS

Call Suffix : 2005

Call Cutter : BIC743

Location : SEARCA Library

Format : Printed

Series : BIOLIFE: a bi-monthly magazine on biotechnology

Publisher : Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines,

Publication Date : October-December 2005

Publication Place : Quezon City, Philippines :

Summary : In this segment, Dr. Saturnina Halos, one of the Filipino scientists who have devoted their knowledge and personal capacity to biotechnology for improved agriculture, answers misinformation and the issues faced by the MAOs in the community. These are the following questions: 1) Genetically modified (GM crops are dangerous to health and environment. 2) Some residents living near plantation of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) crops experienced skin allergies. Children and adults living near the area developed skin rashes because of pollen/flowers from BT corn. 3) There were incidences in other places where people reportedly developed allergies or got sick after GM crops were planted in the vicinity; 4) GM seeds are only good for the first two planting seasons; 5) GM seeds are very expensive for farmers; 6) GM crops kill other species/insects in the environment; 7) The multinational issue; 8) The ulterior motive of biotechnology advocates is to make money or business.