PHILIPPINES – The Philippines has taken a major step in reducing food waste and CO2 emissions with the approval of new gene-edited bananas.
The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) granted Certificates of Non-Coverage for two new banana varieties, TRB011001 and TRB011002, developed by Tropic Biosciences on June 21, 2024.
These bananas have been engineered to reduce browning using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system. By addressing the browning issue, these bananas aim to cut down food waste significantly.
According to the developers, the potential reduction in CO2 emissions from these bananas could be equivalent to removing 2 million cars from the road each year.
The approval process involved Tropic Biosciences submitting scientific evidence to DA-BPI, which then evaluated the bananas under the Technical Consultation for Evaluation and Determination procedure.
This procedure is outlined in DA Memorandum Circular No. 08 s. 2022. The certificate confirms that these gene-edited bananas are not classified as genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Continuing progress with gene-edited tomatoes
Barely a month before the banana approval, on May 2, 2024, DA-BPI issued a Certificate of Non-Coverage for a high GABA tomato developed by Sanatech Seed Co., LTD.
This gene-edited Sicilian Rouge tomato contains high levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is known to help lower blood pressure. Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, this tomato boasts four to five times more GABA than conventional varieties.
Like the bananas, the high GABA tomato underwent a thorough evaluation process based on scientific evidence provided by Sanatech Seed.
DA-BPI determined that this tomato also does not fall under the GMO category, exempting it from the stringent biosafety regulations applied to GMOs. This decision followed the same Technical Consultation for Evaluation and Determination procedure.
These approvals signify the Philippines’ commitment to adopting innovative agricultural technologies to combat food waste and enhance food security.
“The decision to approve these crops is a forward-thinking move that aligns with our goals of sustainability and food safety,” said Dr. Gerald Glenn Panganiban, DA-BPI Director.
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