Philippines: In the face of droughts, super typhoons, ‘biotech’ key country’s survival, say officials

He said in two years, the first edible GM crop – the Bt eggplant will be ready for commercial production. “Our scientists are developing a multi-virus resistant tomato, and virus-resistant varieties of banana and abaca, regarded as one of the best fiber sources in the world, which is seeing a strong revival,” he said.
Paras also cited as a “golden example of biotech application in agriculture” is the amazing progress of the effort to improve the livestock and dairy industry through the work of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC). He said today, the Philippine carabao, improved through the wonders of reproductive biotechnology, has become bigger, strong and produces more milk.
In health and medicine, he said the application of biotechnology ensures the cheaper supply of raw materials through biopharming. He said the Philippines have the expertise to grow genetically-enhanced plants and crops that are rich in minerals and essential nutrients.
Beyond farms, he said experts are also looking at a wide array of medicinal plants as ingredients for pharmaceutical products to take advantage of the country’s biodiversity.
“We have about 850 indigenous medicinal plants, watch with an active pharmaceutical ingredient,” he said.
According to Paras, the second largest sector in the world biotechnology industry today is the medicine sector, where investments are estimated at US$58 billion, citing a 2005 study.
He also said the Philippine can learn from China’s experience in growing genetically-engineered trees to boost effort to cover the country’s bald forests.
Through genetic engineering, he said, the country can produce trees that can grow faster and bigger. Moreover, he said the Philippines can conserve and preserve wild life that is in the brink of extinction, using the wonders of modern biotechnology, he added.
According to Paras, one genetically-engineered tree that may be introduced in the Philippines is the Eucalyptus camaldulensis genetically engineered for bioremediation of heavy metal contaminated soils. This species may be suitable in polluted mining areas, he said. (biolife news service)

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