STAR SCIENCE By Ben O. de Lumen, Ph.D. (The Philippine Star) | Updated September 19, 2013 – 12:00am Throughout world history, humans have succeeded in improving plants and animals as food sources. Plant breeders have incorporated desirable characteristics such as improved harvest yields, higher nutritional quality, more desirable color and flavor, and increased resistance to pests and diseases. These improved varieties are products of careful selection of parents and crossing […]

Written by the Web Team   Almost three decades ago, pioneer breeders thought of ways to make rice, one of the world`s most popular staples, help solve a major malnutrition problem. Beginning in the early 1990s and using the tools of modern biotechnology, Ingo Potrykus, then of the Institute of Plant Sciences at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, worked with Peter Beyer from the University of Freiburg in Germany […]

Written by the Web Team   President Benigno S. Aquino III had expressed support in biotechnology research including Golden Rice, a new type of rice that produces beta carotene. In a speech delivered by Department of Agriculture Sec. Proceso J. Alcala during the recent 7th International Rice Genetics Symposium in Makati, Aquino said that scientific research is needed to ensure stable food and enough rice for Filipinos. “From developing healthier, […]

Written by Jaime A Manalo IV   There is a massive internet information about the perceived horror related to patenting life forms, plants included. In her 1998 book, Biopiracy: The plunder of nature and knowledge, Indian activist Vandana Shiva explores the struggles of Third World countries to protect their crops and indigenous knowledge. Shiva asks thought-provoking questions in her monograph such as “Can life be made?” and “Can life be […]

Written by the Web Team   Golden Rice is still under development and evaluation and may take many more years before it is commercially sold. The International Rice Research Institute said “it will be available to farmers and consumers only if it has been determined to be safe for humans, animals, and the environment and authorized for propagation and consumption by the appropriate regulatory authorities.” If Golden Rice is approved […]

Written by the Web Team   The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Unit 5 (DA-RFU 5) together with the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) have completed two seasons of multi-location field trials of Golden Rice in Camarines Sur. Golden Rice is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene, a source of vitamin A. These field trials form part of the Golden Rice project that the International Rice […]

Written by the Web Team   PhilRice develops nutrient-rich rice to help the malnourished especially in rural areas not reached by government health interventions – a tactic to meet PhilRice’s second corporate strategic goal of helping reduce incidence of malnutrition. Two types of rice with better nutritional quality are being developed or improved by PhilRice: vitamin B-rich brown rice and beta carotene-containing Golden Rice. Dr. Marissa V. Romero, PhilRice food […]