At the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology – Diliman (NIMBB-Diliman), we strongly believe that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and GM crops have great potential in alleviating world hunger & increasing agricultural productivity. We also recognize that there are concerns about the possible risks to human health or to the environment. Although the technology used to create GMOs is generally safe, the safety of particular GMOs should be evaluated on a case-to-case basis. We support a science-based analysis of possible risks, and we believe that regulations of GMOs should be based on such analysis.

We support the policies adopted by the national government with regard to GMOs. We believe that the guidelines released by the Department of Agriculture in its Administrative Order no. 8 series 2002 (Rules and regulations for the importation and release into the environment of plants and plant products derived from the use of modern biotechnology) are reasonable & science-based.

Furthermore, we have great confidence in the procedures observed by the NCBP in its evaluation of GMO's. The NCBP regulations are among the strictest biosafety regulations in the world. We fully trust the NCBP to fulfill its mandate to regulate potentially hazardous materials resulting from genetic engineering. As such, we support the NCBP in its recent decision regarding Bt corn, although we are not promoting this GM product in particular.

We strongly denounce the attempts of interest groups to cloud the issues through propaganda and fear campaigns. These groups skirt the scientific issues and focus on rousing the public's fear of new technologies that they do not completely understand. The public must be educated so that they can make an informed, intelligent and rational decision regarding GMOs, and not be swayed by scare tactics practiced by scare mongers. As far as we can see, many of the issues these groups raise regarding GMOs are scientific. As scientific issues, they should be examined and discussed scientifically and rationally, not politically and emotionally.

However, we at NIMBB Diliman strongly assert that as an Institute we are NOT PROMOTING any particular commercial GM product, including Bt corn. What we support and affirm are the power and potential of biotechnology to improve Filipino lives and our national economy, and the national policies and regulations currently in place to assure that such benefits can be reaped while avoiding or minimizing the possible risks to human health and the environment. We are cognizant of the possible risks arising from GMOs, and we believe that a science-based approach to assessing and managing these risks should be adopted and adhered to.

In sum, we believe biotechnology is a powerful tool for improving Filipino lives, and we support the initiatives taken by the national government in regulating the GMOs produced by biotechnology through science-based risk analysis. We make this earnest plea to the policy-makers of our country: Let us please conduct the debate on GMOs intelligently and scientifically.