An academic think tank said a stronger policy is needed to authorize planting and release of biotechnology crops like the Bt eggplant and "gene-silenced" non-browning potato, which could be the key to long term food security amid climate threats and the Philippines' growing population.
The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) said it supports the passage of a biotechnology law, which is more forcible than a memorandum circular or administrative order (AO).
"SEARCA has BIC (Biotechnology Information Center) which is its one-stop shop for biotechnology advocacy. We are in a position to support it (biotechnology law). We will capitalize on SEARCA's strength in policy research to address the problem," said SEARCA Director Gil C. Saguiguit Jr. in a biotechnology forum.
Saguiguit cited SEARCA's crucial role in policies that affect food production and the environment.
SEARCA, together with the International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications (ISAAA), hosts BIC at its headquarters in Los Banos, Laguna.
It supports BIC as part of the South East Asian Ministers of Education Organization's focus to strengthen graduate agriculture education and related agricultural research carried out by academic experts.