Reflection Essay On Biotechnology

YOUNG, Kimberly Ann R.
MBB 1
Reflection Essay on "GMO debate grows over golden rice in the Philippines"
No Asian meal is complete without a cup of steaming rice. No matter what viands are
served on the table, there must always be rice. It’s the most important part of any Filipino meal!
Everyone eats rice in the Philippines: children, elderlies, people from the highest and lowest
parts of society, every Juan! It provides countless vitamins and minerals to power through an
entire day. For this reason, scientists have continually researched to improve and enhance our
main source of energy hence, golden rice. I’ve only heard of golden rice in passing. What I did
know was that it’s an improved version of rice, kind of an upgraded version. Turns out, it’s a
genetically modified crop which uses genes from corn to provide more vitamin A nutrients in a
rice crop. A breakthrough in both agriculture and science indeed, but it is inevitable that the
public would initially reject such a product.
One of the factors that hinder golden rice’s acceptance is the fact that rice is the top
staple food in the Philippines. There is more caution and fear surrounding the issue because it’s
our main source of food and if, in the future, it is proven that golden rice has harmful effects, the
entire population, or at the very least majority, will suffer. Yes, corn is also one of the Philippines’
staple foods, but literally everyone consumes rice here hence, the eventual acceptance of BT
Corn compared to golden rice. For this reason, I can empathize with the public scrutiny on this
product. I agree with those who oppose, that there needs to be more available data presented
to prove the long term safety of golden rice. Learning from BT Corn’s success, opinions from
both sides must be heard and considered. Debates need to be conducted to have a healthy
discussion about the presenting matter.
Apart from consumer-centric issues about its safety, golden rice may also be detrimental
to our local farmers. Quoting the reporter from the video, golden rice “doesn’t seem to measure
up in output,” meaning its actual yield might be lower than what’s expected of it. I’m assuming
that golden rice seeds are much more expensive than normal rice seeds, and if that is indeed
the case, then planting golden rice may be more of a loss than a profit to the farmers. Unlike BT
corn, which has sufficient yield, golden rice may be unprofitable. While I liked the clarification
that the creation of the golden rice wasn’t built on the grounds of profit, producing crops is the
main source of livelihood of these farmers so it is imperative that they earn more than they
spend. We also cannot deny the fact that there will always be competition in the market.
MASIPAG Organization has developed black rice to solve the vitamin A deficiency issue. Black
rice is considered safer in terms of how it’s grown (conventional breeding) and would probably
cost less than golden rice, urging more consumers to buy this product.
It’s honestly hard to say if the success of these GMO products will lead to more GMOs in
the country. As shown time and time again, many are still skeptical and cautious. GMO products
are met with immediate opposition and anger each time a new one is presented. Presenting
more GMOs may familiarize citizens to this technology and may lead to the overall acceptance
of GMOs and biotechnology in the Philippines. However, it may also lead to the other way
around: introducing future GMOs may frighten and anger people more and will lead to total
rejection of this biotechnological product. I suppose it’s best to slowly introduce it to the masses,
with sufficient and complete information about the product’s aspects: its production, how its
safety is measured, how it is regulated, its effect on the environment and other plant varieties,
etc. Slowly but surely, GMOs will be accepted in our country and more GMO and other
biotechnological products will be created and introduced. I have no doubts about the science
side of it, considering we have some of the most innovative and efficient scientists in the world.
However, I do worry about the administrative side: on how it will be implemented and regulated
by the government. Truthfully, with the current members of the government seated and their
respective goals and initiatives, I doubt that our country will be able to handle GMOs correctly.
Using this as a segue to promote smart voting, this is the reason why it is important to
properly and fully evaluate our electoral candidates before choosing. Let us support candidates
who will speak up on these pressing matters and who have the capacity to create plans of
action for similar issues. At the end of the day, our decision to support a candidate will affect not
just ourselves, but everyone in our nation. It may even affect the food that we eat on our plates.

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YOUNG, Kimberly Ann R.

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