GMW: Church group sets survey to probe claim on Bt corn

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GMW: Church group sets survey to probe claim on Bt corn

" GM WATCH " <info

Thu, 30 Jun 2005 14:55:58 +0100

 

 

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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see also: Bt-corn not financially rewarding

http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=5420

Bad Economics of Bt corn/Bt corn ban

http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=5413

GM deception in the Philippines

http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=4795

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Church group sets survey to probe claim on Bt corn

By BONG REBLANDO

Manila Bulletin

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2005062938128.html

 

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Diocese of Marbel says it will conduct a

survey to look into claims by US multinational Monsanto that bacillus

thuringiensis (Bt) corn gives high yield.

 

This came after an international environment watchdog,

Greenpeace-Southeast Asia, reported that a farmer in Naujan town,

Oriental Mindoro

complained of low harvest from his farm planted to Bt corn.

 

" This is a disturbing report that contradicts claims by seed-producing

firms like Monsanto of increased harvest from Bt corn, " said Fr. Romeo

Catedral, director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of

Marbel.

 

The survey, the priest said, will be launched soon and will involve

several corn farmers in South Cotabato and General Santos. Catedral hopes

that the result of the survey would be released this year.

 

Aside from Monsanto, Pioneer Hibred, another foreign company, is also

producing commercial Bt corn seeds whose yield is much higher than the

ordinary corn.

 

This claim, however, was being disputed by environmentalist groups, the

Catholic Church and other militant organizations.

 

The diocese's 24 parishes in the Socsargen (South

Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City) growth corridor would be

involved in the survey. The

farmers who would participate are assured of confidentiality in the

information they will provide.

 

" The various social action centers in Socsargen, " Catedral said, " would

soon meet to draw up plans and mechanics of the survey and other

related social matters affecting human health vis-à-vis Bt corn. "

 

Catedral reiterated Church's official opposition to Bt corn, saying the

genetically engineered crop is harmful to man and the environment until

after further scientific studies, globally accepted, say otherwise.

 

 

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