Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II
Southeast Asia
II
AB SP
Newsletter
Vol VIII No 2
april - june 2012
Support from Scientific
Community Pours for
Continuation of Bt Eggplant
Research Amidst SC Petition
Background: Crop stand of experimental hybrids. Foregound: Fruits of experimental
hybrids A-XEH 3, B-XEH 4, C-XEH 11 and D-XEH 16.
First Season Bt Eggplant Hybrid
Field Trials Completed in the
Philippines
T
he multi-location confined field trials for Bt eggplant hybrids conducted
in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan (Region I); University of the Philippines
Los Baños (UPLB) (Region IV-A); Pili, Camarines Sur (Region V); and
University of Southern Mindanao (USM), Kabacan, North Cotabato
(Region XIII) were successfully concluded in July, 2012. The materials
in the hybrid trials were four experimental Bt eggplant F1 hybrids, four isogenic
non-Bt F1 hybrids and one commercial check variety. The field performance of
the Bt eggplant hybrids were evaluated and compared with the non-Bt hybrid
counterparts based on different agronomic-morphological traits and bioefficacy
(based on shoot and fruit damage) against the eggplant fruit and shoot
borer. In terms of biosafety, direct samplings were carried out to determine
and compare the number and types of other associated arthropods present
above-ground (secondary herbivores, predators, parasitoids, pollinators) and
in the soil (mites, collembola) in Bt and non Bt eggplants. Field data were
consolidated and currently undergoing statistical analyses.
The successful implementation of Bt eggplant field trials of UPLB
were made possible by the strong cooperation between UPLB and partner
collaborators from Region I Agriculture and Fishery Council, Central Bicol
State University of Agriculture, University of Southern Mindanao, Institutional
Biosafety Committees from the trial sites, and Post Entry Quarantine Offices
of the Bureau of Plant Industry, as well as the full support from the local
governments of Bay, Laguna; Sta. Maria, Pangasinan; Pili, Camarines Sur;
and Kabacan, North Cotabato. (LD Taylo and MAM Abustan)
(left to right) NAST President Dr. Emil Q. Javier, UPLB
Chancellor Dr. Rex Victor Cruz, BIOTECH Director Dr.
Reynaldo Ebora, and Bt eggplant project leader Dr.
Desiree Hautea face the media during the May 15 press
conference.
N
ational scientists of the Philippines and esteemed
experts in their fields voiced their support for the
continuation of the Bt eggplant multi-location field
trials in the light of a petition filed by an anti-GMO group
to the Supreme Court to stop the field tests.
The petition for writ of kalikasan and writ of
continuing mandamus against the field trials cited
allegations on Bt eggplant’s safety to human health
and environment. These were clarified and refuted by
National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)
President Dr. Emil Q. Javier; Bt eggplant project leader
Dr. Desiree Hautea; University of the Philippines Los
Baños-National Institute of Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology (UPLB-BIOTECH) Director Dr. Reynaldo
V. Ebora; and UPLB Chancellor Dr. Rex Victor Cruz
during a press conference spearheaded by UPLB on
May 15, 2012 at Traders Hotel, Pasay City, and through
several statements made by prominent scientists.
A writ of kalikasan (or writ of nature) is a legal
remedy under Philippine law for the protection of
one’s constitutional right to a balanced and healthy
environment. Writ of continuing mandamus is issued
by a court in an environmental case directing any
government officer or agency to perform an act or series
of acts until the final judgment is fully satisfied.
Drs. Hautea and Ebora explained to the 48 print,
TV, and radio journalists the science behind the safety
of Bt eggplant, while Dr. Javier and Chancellor Cruz
pointed out the potentials of the technology and the
(Continued on page 4)
Biotechnology Expert Dialog Held in Indonesia
T
he Biotechnology Expert Dialog 2012 with the theme “Genetically
Engineered Crop vs Food Security” was conducted on July 10,
2012 in Bogor, Indonesia with the aim of enhancing the knowledge
and appreciation of biotechnology in the country. Two sessions were
held during the dialog: 1) state of the art of genetically engineered crops
utilization and 2) current research on genetically engineered crops in
Indonesia.
Dr. Roger Beachy, director of Donald Danforth Plant Science
Research Centre gave the keynote talk on the “Worldwide outlook
of genetically engineered crop deployment and their significant
contribution in world food security.” Dr. Bambang Purwantara, Director
of the Indonesian Biotechnology Information Center (IndoBIC) and
SEAMEO Southeast Asian Regional Center for Tropical Biology
(BIOTROP) expounded on the rules and regulation of GM crop
research in Indonesia. The current updates and status of genetically
engineered sugarcane was discussed by Prof. Bambang Sugiharto of
Jember University.
The dialog was attended by 179 participants composed of
researchers, faculty, students, agricultural practitioners, and the private
sector. It was organized by Bogor Agricultural University in partnership
with Croplife Indonesia, IndoBIC, ABSPII and US Department of
Agriculture. (Dewi Suryani)
(Left to right) Prof. Bambang Sugiharto, Dr. Bambang Purwantara, Dr.
Roger Beachy and Prof. Sudarsono serve as resource speakers during
the Biotech Expert Dialog in Indonesia.
Farmers and Agri Workers Updated on
Biotech Potato Breeding
“Go Biotechnology for Our Green
Future” Seminar
Resource persons including Dr. M. Herman of ICABIOGRAD (left)
discuss biotech potato and potato breeding to farmers and agricultural
workers in Indonesia.
Participants of the “Go Biotechnology for Our Green Future”
seminar in Indonesia.
O
ver the last few months, 136 farmers and agricultural workers in
three areas in Indonesia (Mataram, Jambi, and Lembang) were
briefed on potato breeding through biotechnological intervention.
Drs. M. Herman, Edy Listanto, and Dinar Ambarwati of the Indonesian
Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research
and Development (ICABIOGRAD) served as resource persons on
biotechnology products and regulations in Indonesia as well as on
biotechnology applications in potato trait improvement. Mr. Kusmana of the
Indonesian Vegetables Research Institute (IVRI) also shared information
on potato variety improvement through conventional breeding.
The heads of the three agricultural bureaus expressed their support
and enthusiasm for the biotech potatoes because of its potential to
increase crop yield as they are resistant to the devastating late blight
disease.
The seminars were jointly organized by the Indonesian Biotechnology
Information Center (IndoBIC) and ABSPII, supported by SEAMEO
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Tropical Biology (BIOTROP), Cornell
University, and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech
Applications (ISAAA). (Dewi Suryani)
2
A
seminar titled “Go Biotechnology for Our Green Future”
was conducted by the Biology Faculty of Universitas
Nasional (UNAS) in Indonesia, in collaboration with
IndoBIC, ABSPII, Monsanto, INACO and Unilever last
November 26, 2011 in UNAS.
Dra. Retno Widowati, MSi of UNAS discussed current
developments in biotechnology and benefits of other
technologies, such as bioleaching (a process of using
bacteria to dissolve metals instead of chemical solutions).
Dra. Widowati said that bioleaching has been used to
dissolve metals such as nickel, copper, zinc, cobalt, gold,
lead, arsenic, and others. Other speakers were Dr. M.
Herman of ICABIOGRAD who presented the development
of genetically modified organisms, and Ir. Herry Kristanto of
Monsanto Indonesia who talked about the positive impacts of
genetically modified food in the world.
The seminar was attended by biology students of UNAS,
academicians and private company. (Dewi Suryani)
Vol VIII, No 2
Philippine S&T Advocate Visits Bt Eggplant Field Trial; Upholds
Continuation of its Research
R
Congressman Angelo Palmones stresses the significant potentials of
Bt eggplant in the country during is message for a seminar in USM.
enowned S&T and environment advocate Congressman Angelo B.
Palmones pushed for the continuation of the Bt eggplant multi-location
field trial in the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), Kabacan,
North Cotabato after seeing the experimental site and actual Bt eggplant
fruits during a study visit there last June 29, 2012.
The policymaker said in his message during a seminar held after
the study visit, that Bt eggplant can bring about significant benefits to the
eggplant industry in the country. He said that once commercialized, Bt
eggplant can be exported to countries that impose strict plant quarantine
regulations with regard to the presence of chemical residues.
Congressman Palmones also stressed that Bt eggplant, which will
require lesser chemical pesticides, promotes balance in the environment.
He cited some local agricultural crop industries that were threatened
because of the diminishing number of beneficial insects. Pushing for
agri-biotechnology, Congressman Palmones also pointed out how the
decade-old biotech corn propagation has made the local corn industry selfsufficient. (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)
Biotech IEC Strategies & Experiences Shared in Davao Forum
M
s. Jenny A. Panopio, Special Projects Coordinator and Network
Administrator of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for
Graduate Study and Research and Agriculture - Biotechnology
Information Center (SEARCA BIC) imparted the communication
strategies for biotech outreach efforts, particularly on Bt eggplant,
during the Scientific Forum on Biotechnology for Communicators last
June 28, 2012 at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City, Philippines.
Ms. Panopio highlighted the importance of getting information about
biotech from the right sources (i.e. experts), and enumerated some
of the communication challenges and misinformation on biotech and
the parallel activities being done to address such problems. She also
gave a brief introduction about the Bt eggplant technology and how it is
being developed in the country. Education materials on biotechnology
in general and Bt eggplant in particular, were also distributed during the
event.
Attended by 59 journalists, communication practitioners, college
students and faculty from Davao City, the forum also tackled relevant
topics particularly that of the local scenario and developments in
biotechnology. Congressman Angelo Palmones, a prominent S&T
advocate, focused his keynote address on how biotechnology can
help in solving important issues in the country such as food security,
and how biotech research and development (R&D) needs more local
support. Dr. Candida Adalla, Chair of the Department of Agriculture’s
Biotechnology Program Office, gave a lecture on the local business
opportunities from agri-biotech; she also clarified the government’s
position on the issues raised on Bt eggplant (i.e. petition against its
field trials in the Supreme Court, conflict with organic agriculture).
Program Director for the Biotech for Life Media and Advocacy
Resource Center Joel Paredes talked about the challenges of
communicating biotechnology to the public.
The forum was organized by the Biotechnology Coalition of the
Philippines, BMARC, and the Philippine Information Agency - Davao
Region XI. (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)
Bt Eggplant in the Philippines Undergoes Nutritional Composition Analyses
T
he safety of Bt cry proteins and Bt crops has been extensively investigated
and documented by highly credible scientists worldwide. Ten years since
the commercialization of the first generation of Bt crops in 2003 in the
Philippines, and globally since 1996, not a single case of adverse effects has
been reported and scientifically verified. Nonetheless, for Bt eggplant, the
Philippine regulatory body requires that compositional analysis be conducted as
part of the comparative assessment for food safety.
Nutritional composition of fruit samples of Bt eggplant will be compared
with non-Bt comparators from field trials in Pangasinan and University of the
Philippines Los Baños, representing different environments. Comparison includes
determination and analyses of single nutrients which represent components of
important metabolic pathways in an organism, such as levels of proteins, fat,
vitamins and minerals. In addition, important metabolites such as glycoalkaloids
will also be determined. Compositional analyses will be done based on
internationally agreed and recommended guidelines.
Currently, coded powdered fruit samples have been prepared, and these
will be brought to an accredited and reputable third-party service laboratory for
analyses. (APL Masanga and LD Taylo)
Vol VIII, No 2
Coded powdered eggplant fruit samples being prepared
for nutritional composition analysis.
3
Mindanao Stakeholders Informed on the
Science, Safety, and Benefits of Bt Eggplant
M
ore than a hundred participants
composed of farmers, technical
agriculture and extension workers,
local government officials, and other key
stakeholders from the province of North
Cotabato and other areas in Mindanao,
Philippines were enlightened on the science,
safety, and benefits of the fruit and shoot
borer resistant Bt eggplant during two
educational outreach activities conducted in
its multi-location field trial in the University of
Southern Mindanao (USM), Kabacan, North
Cotabato.
A study visit to the field trial and a
biotechnology seminar were both conducted
Congressman Angelo B. Palmones (in orange shirt) and
other stakeholders from North Cotabato and other parts of
on June 7 and 29, 2012 to clarify the
Mindanao observe the sample Bt and non-Bt eggplant fruits.
concerns of stakeholders following an
anti-GMO group’s filing of a petition to the
Supreme Court against the field trials of Bt eggplant.
Dr. Lourdes Taylo, study leader of the Bt eggplant project in the University of the Philippines Los
Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB), and Mr. Mario Navasero, entomologist from the Crop
Protection Cluster in UPLB, served as resource persons. Dr. Taylo gave a comprehensive discussion on
the development, status, and potential benefits of Bt eggplant. Mr. Navasero imparted the methods in
Integrated Pest Management in eggplant and the potential advantage of Bt eggplant in the IPM system.
On June 7, Dr. Jinky Leilani Lu from the National Institutes of Health in UP Manila shared results of
her study on insecticide residues in eggplant farms in the province of Pangasinan. She also highlighted
the hazards of chemical pesticides to both human health and environment. Dr. Emiliana Bernardo,
member of the UPLB Institutional Biosafety Committee, and Ms. Thelma Soriano, Biotech Core Team
Secretariat Head of the Department of Agriculture -Bureau of Plant Industry, joined the study visit and
seminar in June 29 and talked about the safety of Bt technology and the Philippine national biosafety
regulatory framework. USM President Jesus Antonio Derije reiterated the university’s mandate in carrying
out biotech research and its strict compliance to the national biosafety policies and regulations.
The activities were organized by the ABSPII, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications (ISAAA), the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in
Agriculture-Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC), USM, UPLB-IPB, and the Asian Farmers
Regional Network Philippines (ASFARNET Phils.). (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)
FSBR Bt Eggplant Best
Poster in CSSP Annual
Conference
T
he poster “Yield Performance and
Bioefficacy of Bt Eggplants Tested
across Multiple Locations and
Seasons in the Philippines” by the breeding
and entomology group of the Bt eggplant
project team won the Best Poster for
Upstream Research Category during the
42nd Annual Scientific Conference of the
Crop Science Society of the Philippines
held at the A&A Plaza Hotel in Puerto
Princesa City, Palawan last April 16-20,
2012.
The project team also submitted two
other posters titled “Quantitative Analysis of
Cry1Ac Expression in Bt eggplants Tested
Across Multiple Locations and Seasons
in the Philippines” and “SSR Analysis of
Genetic Diversity in Eggplant (Solanum
melongena, L.) and Related Wild Species
in the Philippines”. (AP Masanga)
Support from Scientific
Community... (from p.3)
right of the university to conduct such research. Chancellor
Cruz also assured that UPLB is strictly complying with the
national biosafety policies in carrying out the Bt eggplant
research.
In a separate statement, Dr. Javier said that he hopes
the Supreme Court will eventually “side with science”
and not with the unfounded claims of the petitioners.
Drs. Emiliana and Fernardo Bernardo, an entomologist
and a plant breeding and genetics expert, respectively,
also expressed their views on the urgent need for Bt
eggplant (because of the current harmful practice of
excessive pesticide use in eggplant farms), the safety of
Bt technology, and the stringency of the national biosafety
regulatory framework.
During the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the
Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines last May 17-18,
2012, other members of the local scientific community
also showed their support for Bt eggplant by signing
affidavits explaining how Bt eggplant is safe for human
consumption and the environment. Likewise, a policymaker,
Congressman Angelo B. Palmones of AGHAM Partylist,
also issued a statement saying that Bt eggplant, based on
studies, is safe, and would be a very good alternative to
pesticide spraying. (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)
II
AB SP
southeast asia
Newsletter
Vol VIII No 2
april - june 2012
Editorial Team
Randy A. Hautea
Desiree M. Hautea
Mariechel J. Navarro
Rhodora R. Aldemita
Jenny A. Panopio
Writers/Contributors
Mary Ann M. Abustan
Anna Pauleen A. Masanga
Sophia M. Mercado
Jenny A. Panopio
Dewi Suryani
Lourdes D. Taylo
Design and Layout
Clement Dionglay
Southeast Asia Office
Dr. Desiree M. Hautea
Regional Coordinator
Institute of Plant Breeding
University of the Philippines Los Baños
College 4031 Laguna Philippines
Telefax: +63 49 5365140
US Office
International Programs
213 Rice Hall, Cornell University
Ithaca, New York 14853 USA
Tel.: +1 607 2556357
Fax: +1 607 2558186
Email: [email protected]
ABSPII is a USAID-funded consortium of
public and private sector institutions that
supports scientists, regulators, and the
general public in developing countries to
make informed decisions about agricultural
biotechnology. Where demand exists,
ABSPII focuses on the safe and effective
development and commercialization of
bio-engineered crops as a complement
to traditional and organic agricultural
approaches. The project helps boost food
security, economic growth, nutrition, and
environmental quality in East and West
Africa, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, and
the Philippines.
Additional information about ABSPII
projects can be found at http://www.absp2.
cornell.edu/
This newsletter is also available at
http://www.isaaa.org/Programs/
supportprojects/abspii/