Perception towards genetically modified crops of the local farmers in Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines: a basis for an intervention program on GM crops

  • Authors

    • Christian Pangilinan Pampanga State Agricultural University
    • Jacqueline Bagunu Pampanga State Agricultural University
    2015-06-01
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijsw.v3i2.4688
  • Farmers, Food Security, GM Crops, Intervention Program, Magalang Pampanga.

  • This descriptive research was undertaken to unveil the perception of the local farmers in Magalang, Pampanga towards GM crops with the aid of a written survey instrument administered to respondents from February to March 2014.In general, it was observed that despite inadequate information regarding GM crops, their implication and impact on human health, environment and economy, and their ambivalent view about the improved nutritional quality and other health benefits of GM crops, the farmers in Magalang, Pampanga consider GM crops safe for human consumption and a solution for food security. The respondents are very positive with regards to the improved yield and low production cost that these GM crops can offer. This suggests that the local farmers are primarily concerned with the quantity of produce as well as profit of their farming activity, their business and livelihood, rather than the quality of the produce in terms of effect on human health and the environment. Lastly, the local farmers are willing to accept, to adopt and to patronize GM crops. Findings from this research can serve as a basis for an intervention program that the local government or other organizations can initiate to address local farmers’ perception regarding GM crops.

  • References

    1. [1] Kaneko, Naoya and Chern, Wen S. (2003). Consumer Acceptance of Genetically Modified Foods: A Telephone Survey. The Ohio State University

      [2] James, Clive. (2007). "Executive Summary". Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2007. ISAAA Briefs 37. The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). ISBN 978-1-892456-42-7.

      [3] Conway, G. (2003). From the Green Revolution to the Biotechnology Revolution: Food for Poor People in the 21st Century. Speech at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Director's Forum.

      [4] Nuffield Council on Bioethics. (2014). Possible benefits of GM crops in developing countries. Retrieved from: http: //www.nuffieldbioethics.org/gm-crops-developing-countries/gm-crops-developing-countries-possible-benefits-gm-crops-developing-co. Accessed on 10 March 2014.

      [5] Mason HS, Haq TA, Clements JD, Arntzen CJ. (1998) Edible vaccine protects mice against Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT): potatoes expressing a synthetic LT-B gene.

      [6] Langridge, William H.R. (2000). Edible Vaccines. Scientific American, Inc. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican0900-66.

      [7] Bessin, Ric. (2004). Bt-Corn: What It Is And How It Works. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Retrieved from: http://www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef130.asp. Accessed on 10 March 2014.

      [8] Pimentel, David S. and Raven, Peter H. (2000). Bt corn pollen impacts on nontarget Lepidoptera: Assessment of effects in nature. The National Academy of Sciences

      [9] Wraight C L, Zangerl A R, Carroll M J, Berenbaum M R. (2000). Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97:7700–7703. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.130202097.

      [10] Nordlee, J. A., Taylor, S. L., Townsend, J. A., Thomas, L. A., and Bush, R. K. 1996. Identification of a Brazil-nut allergen in transgenic soybeans. N. Engl. J. Med. 334:726–728. http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199603143341103.

      [11] Bakshi, Anita. (2003). Potential Adverse Health Effects of Genetically Modified Crops. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 6:211–225, 2003.

      [12] Fagan, J.B. (1996). Assessing the safety and nutritional quality of genetically engineered foods. In Draft assessment of genetically engineered organisms in the environment, distributed by the Edmonds Institute, July 1996, to delegates to the 1st meeting of the Open-Ended Ad Hoc Working Group on Biosafety (CBD).

      [13] Lappe, M. A., and Bailey, E. B. 1999. Response to letter to the editor. Med Food. 2:281–283. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/jmf.1999.2.281.

      [14] IRRI. (2014). Philippines issues GM food safety reminder. Retrieved from: http://irri.org/blogs/item/philippines-issues-gm-food-safety-reminder. Accessed on 11 March 2014.

      [15] Clark,Liat.(2013). Filipino farmers destroy GM crops designed to alleviate malnutrition. Retrieved from: http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-08/12/gm-crop-vandalism-philippines. Accessed on 11 March 2014.

      [16] Kroger, Daniel. (2003). Genetically Modified Crops: An Assessment from a Christian Ethical Perspective. East Asian Pastoral Review. Vol 40. East Asian Pastoral Institute. Ateneo de Manila University.

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Pangilinan, C., & Bagunu, J. (2015). Perception towards genetically modified crops of the local farmers in Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines: a basis for an intervention program on GM crops. International Journal of Scientific World, 3(2), 187-191. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijsw.v3i2.4688