1. Biotechnology Providing Options for Philippine Agriculture
Allow me to discuss with you a field in science that provides viable options to further improve Philippine agriculture. This field is called Biotechnology
(Revised: June 2003)

2. WORLD PHILIPPINES from 6.05 billion to about 7.5 billion
from 82 million to 122 million
Why do we need to improve agriculture?
In 20 years, world population is expected to increase by 25%. In 2020, there will be 122 M Filipinos. This means we will need more shelter, clothing and more food on the table.
Sources: ADB, POPCOM

3. To feed this population...
world cereal production should increase by 50%
Philippine rice production should increase from 12 to 18 M tons (40%)
Current food production will not be enough to feed this population. For cereals alone, the Food and Agriculture Organization says that world production should increase to _(figure)_ by year The Philippines faces the same dilemma. We need to increase our rice production to 18 M tons or by 40%.

4. Agricultural resources are limited by ...
deforestation
overgrazing
land conversion
However, agricultural resources are fast becoming scarce because of deforestation, overgrazing, and land conversion to industrial and residential uses.
Source: FAO

5. With increasing demand for food and limiting resources...
we need better and more efficient ways to produce food
Thus, with the increasing demand for food coupled with the limiting resources, we need better and more efficient ways to produce food. Biotechnology is a viable alternative.
one option is through
Biotechnology

6. Bio
- life
Technology
- any technique or procedure to develop new products
What is biotechnology? The word comes from two root words which we are very familiar with; bio which means life, and technology which refers to any technique or procedure that results to the development of new products.

7. Biotechnology
- any technique that uses whole or part of a living thing to make new products, improve or develop plants, animals and other organisms for specific use
The most accepted and common definition of biotechnology is: any technique that uses part of a living thing to make new products, improve or develop plants, animals and other organisms for specific use.

8. GE to improve microorganisms GE to develop animal vaccines
GE of animals
GE of plants
GE to improve microorganisms
GE to develop animal vaccines
Recombinant DNA for disease diagnostics
GE of biocontrol agents against plant pest & diseases
Monoclonal anti body production
Biotechnology has been with us for a long time. Man has been using this technique to plants, animals and microorganisms to develop products. The ladder shows the different types of biotechnology activities in agriculture ranging from the traditional to more sophisticated techniques.
Traditional biotechnology includes fermentation to produce common products such as vinegar, soy sauce and wine. Biopesticides, biofertilizers, tissue cultured plants, and diagnostic kits are products of traditional biotechnology.
Modern biotechnology, on the other hand, uses tools like genetic engineering to produce improved vaccines, organisms, plants and animals.
Plant protoplast fusion
Plant tissue culture
Embryo transfer
Fermentation, Biofertilizers

9. Interferon for treating cancer
Insulin for diabetes
Interferon for treating cancer
Aside from its applications in agriculture, biotechnology is also commonly used in medicine. Products available in the market are insulin for diabetes, interferon for treating cancer and Hepatitis B vaccine.
Hepatitis B vaccine

10. Using living organisms to clean the environment
How can biotechnology be applied to have a cleaner environment? Through biotechnology, microorganisms are used to degrade toxic wastes into harmless products.

11. We are more familiar to biotechnology applications to agriculture
We are more familiar to biotechnology applications to agriculture. Let us discuss first food biotechnology. It is used to improve food quality and food processing to produce better tasting food, clearer juices and cleaner food.
Examples of this are the development of better tasting and higher quality food through the use of artificial flavorings, extenders and additional food ingredients such as omega-3 in tunas and vitamin A in noodles.

12. Food biotechnology Improved food quality and food processing
Better tasting
More nutritious
Cleaner food
We are more familiar to biotechnology applications to agriculture. Let us discuss first food biotechnology. It is used to improve food quality and food processing to produce better tasting food, clearer juices and cleaner food.
Examples of this are the development of better tasting and higher quality food through the use of artificial flavorings, extenders and additional food ingredients such as omega-3 in tunas and vitamin A in noodles.

13. Animal biotechnology Better breeds of livestock and poultry
leaner meat
more milk
Through animal biotechnology, we now have improved livestock and poultry with leaner meat and higher milk production.
Vaccines

14. Crops biotechnology Tissue cultured planting materials
High yielding crops
Varieties resistant to pests and diseases
Another application of biotechnology in agriculture is the development of improved vegetables, fruits, fibers and cereals. For instance, through tissue culture are able to mass produce planting materials. Higher yielding and more resistant varieties are also made available.
Diagnostic kits
Improved postharvest qualities

15. Genetic engineering
Technique that transfers gene(s) of interest to develop and improve plants, animals and other organisms
More recently, a new generation of improved crops are developed through genetic engineering. Looking back at the scope of biotechnology, genetic engineering is part of its modern and sophisticated application. It is a technique that transfers a gene or genes of interest to develop and improve plants, animals and other organisms.

16. Gene
- basic physical and functional units of heredity which carries information for the expression of a particular trait
But what is a gene? It is the one responsible for the expression of a particular trait like the height of plants. That’s why there are short plants, and there are tall plants.

17. Conventional Breeding
Wild Relative
Crop Plant
Wild Relative
Crop Plant
Through genetic engineering, the gene controlling the expression of a short plant can be transferred into a tall but high yielding plant. The resulting plant will now be a short type but with high yield. can now produce a flower with red and white-colored petals.
Genetic Engineering
Conventional Breeding

18. Conventional Breeding Genetic Engineering
limited to exchanges between the same or very closely related species
little or no guarantee of obtaining any particular gene combination from the millions of crosses generated
undesirable genes can be transferred along with desirable genes
take a long time to achieve desired results
allows the direct transfer of one or just a few genes, between either closely or distantly related organisms
crop improvement can be achieved in a shorter time compared to conventional breeding

19. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
= Transgenics
Products developed through genetic engineering
Now, what are genetically modified organisms or GMOs? These are products developed through genetic engineering and are also known as transgenic crops.
Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt corn is an example of a GMO. It is a new type of corn with Bt gene that controls corn borer, a very destructive pest. Planting Bt corn results to higher yield, less exposure to and application of pesticides like Furadan, lower farm inputs, and cleaner grains. Thus Bt corn is a better option for our farmers.

20. Global area by country USA 35.7 68 39.0 66 +3.3 +9 Argentina 11.8 22
2001 & 2002
(millions of hectares)
Global area by country
Country
2001 %
2002
+/-
USA
35.7 68
39.0 66
+3.3 +9
Argentina
11.8 22
13.5 23
+1.7
+14
Canada
3.2 6
3.5
+0.3
China
1.5 3
2.1 4
+0.6
+40
South Africa
0.2
<1
0.3 1
+0.1
+50
Australia
0.1
-0.1 --
India
<0.1
Romania
Spain
Uruguay
Mexico
Bulgaria
Indonesia
Colombia
Honduras
Germany
Total
52.6
100
58.7
+6.1
+12%
Source: Clive James, 2002

21.
Global area by year
Increase of 12%, 6.1 million hectares or 15 million acres between 2001 and 2002.
Source: Clive James, 2002

22. Global area by crop 2001 % 2002 +/- Total 52.6 100 58.7 +6.1 +12
2001 and 2002:
(million hectares)
2001 %
2002
+/-
Soybean
33.3 63
36.5 62
+3.2
+10
Maize
9.8 19
12.4 21
+2.6
+27
Cotton
6.8 13 12
0.0
- -
Canola
2.7 5
3.0
+0.3
+11
Squash
<0.1
<1
(- -)
Papaya
Total
52.6
100
58.7
+6.1
+12
Source: Clive James, 2002

23. Global area (Industrial vs. Developing)
2001 and 2002:
(million hectares)
Source: Clive James, 2002
58.7
52.6
Total
16.0
13.5
Developing Countries
42.7
39.1
Industrial Countries
2002
2001
Please note from this slide that the commercial plantings are not confined to developed countries only. The developing countries like Argentina, China, and Indonesia have commercially adopted this technology as well.

24. Regulation of
GM crops
National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP)
Created by E.O. 430 in 1990 to review and monitor R&D involving GMOs for laboratory and contained evaluation of possible effects on the environment
Department of Agriculture
Issued A. O. No. 8 “Rules and Regulations for the Importation and Release into the Environment of Plant and Plant Products Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology”mandating:
Bureau of Plant Industry to evaluate and monitor field tests of GM crops; process applications for limited field tests, propagation, delisting or for importation of GM crops
Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority to evaluate and register GM crops pesticidal properties
Bureau of Animal Industry to evaluate feed safety
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards to evaluate food safety
DENR and DOH are also involved in biosafety and food safety assessments
NCBP is an interdepartmental committee consisting of DOST, DA, DOH and DENR with the assistance of scientific technical review panel, NCBP evaluates the possible effects of GM crops on the environment, such as the effects on non-target organisms, development of resistance in the insect pest population, transfer of the foreign gene to the other variety pf the same crops, or to other related weeds, and persistence in the soil.
In April 2002, the DA issued AO 8 mandating BPI, FPA, BAI, and BAFPS, for the food, feed, and environmental safety assessment of GM crops.

25. Corn resistant to Asiatic corn borer
Commercialization
Corn resistant to Asiatic corn borer
Field Test
Rice resistant to bacterial blight
The Philippines approved the commercial planting of Bt corn last year. Field testing of transgenic rice resistant to bacterial blight and corn resistant to the Asiatic corn borer is ongoing.

26. Papaya with delayed ripening trait Papaya resistant to ringspot virus
Greenhouse
Papaya with delayed ripening trait
Papaya resistant to ringspot virus
Laboratory
Mango with delayed ripening trait
Rice resistant to tungro virus
Vitamin A-enriched rice
Banana resistant to bunchy top disease
Coconut with higher amount of MCTs
Sweet potato resistant to feathery mottle virus
Also, there are green house experiments on papaya. Laboratory experiments are being done on mango, rice, banana, and coconut.

27. Hence, biotechnology is a viable option
Judicious and safe applications of biotechnology in agriculture and natural resources could increase farmer’s income, provide better and safer products to consumers and lessen dependence on chemicals destructive to the environment...
Through advances in science, biotechnology provides a viable option in improving the welfare of Filipino farmers, and consumers, and minimize environmental destruction.
And, paraphrasing what President Macapagal-Arroyo has said in her support of this technology, judicious and safe applications of biotechnology in agriculture and natural resources could increase farmer’s income, provide better and safer products to consumers, and lessen dependence on chemicals destructive to the environment.
The science community, therefore, enjoins the Filipino people in supporting Biotechnology.
Hence, biotechnology is a viable option

28. Biotechnology Providing Options for Philippine Agriculture
This biotech mentor’s kit is a collaborative project of
DOST – PCARRD
ISAAA
SEARCA-BIC
Thank you very much for your kind attention. Mabuhay and good day!
Revised: June 2003