Position Statements on Biotechnology


National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Philippines Statement

Filipino Scientists in Support of Biotechnology

We at the National Academy of Science and Technology - as the highest advisory and recognition body of the government of the Republic of the Philippines on science and technology - as well as other scientists undersigned believe and support the application of modern biotechnology as a tool to enhance agricultural productivity; to feed and improve the lives of the increasing population; and to address environmental degradation, hunger and poverty. We also strongly advocate using sound science as the basis for regulatory and political decisions pertaining to biotechnology. We promote the careful, unbiased, science-based evaluation of technologies and products of modern biotechnology.

Modern biotechnology has tremendous potential and offers remarkable innovations to support our country's efforts to attain food security and global competitiveness. Its benefits to developing countries in the areas of food and agriculture, health and medicine, environmental protection, trade and industry, are expected to be more than those benefits gained by developing countries where food and feed overproduction exists.

Products of modern biotechnology promise to reduce farmers' high input costs, increase their yields while keeping the ecosystem intact, and enable crops to grow under normally unfavorable conditions. Biotechnology products can even provide greater benefits to consumers, who have always been the ultimate beneficiaries of technology innovations. For instance, modern biotechnology can be a useful tool to attain greater nutritional security, through enhanced products' vitamin content and prolonged shelf life. Modern biotechnology can also produce healthier oils and develop vaccines to fight dreadful diseases like cholera and malaria.

We recognize that no technology is without risk. However, we have great confidence in the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines, the inter-department agency tasked to regulate R&D in modern biotechnologies, and which has been cautious and stringent in the implementation of its regulations. In addition, the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards and the Department of Health's Bureau of Foods and Drugs are jointly setting up mechanisms for the regulation of food safety and commercialization of modern biotechnology-derived food and feed products.

We therefore advocate and promote the safe and responsible applications of modern biotechnology in science and technology, agriculture and food, health and medicine, environment, and trade and industry - for the upliftment of the Filipino nation. Considering the tremendous potential of this technology, we urge the policymakers to base their decisions on sound scientific evidence.

Filipino Scientists in Support of Biotechnology
http://www.nast.dost.gov.ph/

International Support:

  1. International Organizations
  2. Africa
  3. Asia
  4. Europe
  5. North America
  6. Latin America
  7. Oceania

International Organizations

- Food and Agricultural Organization
- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
- World Health Organization
- United Nations Development Programme
- United Nations Environment Programme
- Third World Academy of Sciences

- Agenda 21
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
- Vatican Pontifical Academy on Life

- International Council for Science Union

- International Life Sciences Institute

Africa

- International Society of African Scientists
- United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
- Africabio
- South African Minister Ngubane's statement at WSSD
- National Biotechnology Strategy for South Africa
- Former Kenyan President Moi's letter to US President Clinton

- Nigerian President Obasanjo's Statement

Asia

- Asian Development Bank
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Indian National Academy of Sciences
- National Academy of Science and Technology (Philippines)
- Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir's Speech at BioMalaysia 2002
- Policy Statement on Biotechnology (Philippines)

Europe

- Royal Society of London

- Prime Minister Blair's speech

- European Commission

- French Academy of Science

North America

 

United States of America

- American Medical Association
- American Society for Microbiology
- National Academy of Sciences
- National Research Council
- American Society of Plant Biologists
- Federation of Animal Science Societies
- American Midwest Farmers

  • American Agri-Women
  • American Soybean Association
  • National Chicken Council
  • National Corn Growers Association
  • National Cotton Council
  • National Milk Producers Federation
  • National Potato Council
  • National Turkey Federation
  • United Soybean Board

Canada

- Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee
- The Royal Society of Canada (The Canadian Academy of the Sciences and Humanities)
- Industry Canada (Federal Department of Industry)
- The 1998 Canadian Biotechnology Strategy: A Ongoing Renewal Process

Latin America

- Brazilian Academy of Sciences
- Mexican Academy of Sciences

Oceania

- New Zealand Royal Commission

- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
- Australia New Zealand Food Authority
- Australian Biotechnology: A National Strategy (2000)

- National Farmers' Federation

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