http://cbperu.org/pdf/AvisoElComercio20081119.pdf
English version (for a version in Spanish please click here)
PERU, APEC, AND MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY
The Peruvian Association for the Development of Biotechnology, PeruBiotec, and the national deans of the College of Engineers of Peru and the College of Biologists of Peru, join in a warm welcome to the delegations of APEC Economies and their distinguished Leaders who visit Lima these days.
Prosperous, continuing, and successful trade among the APEC Economies will only be possible if development of science & technology is resolutely pursued in each and every participating country. Biotechnology and Bioengineering are environmentally clean technologies of the 21st century with which all APEC Economies have the opportunity to grow and contribute to on an individual basis, regardless of their present level of economic development. In fact, several APEC Economies are global leaders in their use. Unfortunately, Peru is not yet taking part of their benefits.
Three weeks ago, the College of Engineers of Peru and the College of Biologists of Peru – national institutions that together comprise over 114,000 Peruvian professionals as members- organized a Forum on the benefits of biotechnology and, specifically, genetic modification for agricultural development in Peru. After an extensive debate at this forum organized by both Colleges, which by law act as advisory institutions to the Peruvian state, important conclusions and recommendations were reached, such as the following:
1. Genetically Modified -or “transgenic”- Organisms (GMOs) have not affected human health and it is not justifiable to expect them to do so after more than thirteen years of safe use by hundreds of millions of people around the world.
2. Commercial cultivation of genetically modified plant varieties should be the subject of scientific risk assessment on a case by case and step by step basis, according to biosafety regulation standards to ensure their continued safety to human health and the environment.
3. Genetically modified crops constitute a technology option of great potential positive effect for the farmer which can coexist with organic and conventional cropping systems without any environmental problem. To date, 12.2 million farmers all over the world, 90% of them small producers, successfully cultivate genetically modified plant varieties with excellent economic and environmental results, and they do so by their own choosing. It was concluded that Peruvian farmers should not be denied access to this new technology as a result of unfounded fears or arguments with no real scientific basis.
4. There are no grounds to oppose the concept of organic agriculture to one based on Biotechnology. Organic agriculture –as a substitute to conventional farming- does not maximize yields and productivity; arable land area is limited in Peru; and there is insufficient guano production, thus making it a questionable option to secure food supply in this country.
5. Those particular crops, for which Peru is center of origin and diversity, must be considered on a case by case basis in order to develop a suitable management that prevents any negative impact on biodiversity. Bans and moratoria with no scientific basis are ethically and technologically unjustified.
So far this year, three different meetings on biotechnology have taken place in Peru within the framework of APEC, such as: a) Research, Development and Extension, b) Investments, and c) High Level Policies on Modern Biotechnology, that follow other similar meetings conducted in past years to prepare the path to joint projects, investments and trade among APEC Economies using the added value that will result from the application of modern biotechnology.
It is necessary that regulations listed under Law 27104 specific to productive sectors be established, so that biosafety procedures for the responsible introduction of genetically modified crops in Peru could be started. Its implementation by scientific institutions, both public and private, will allow for a true utilization of our genetic resources.
Several of the APEC area countries are –like Peru- megabiodiverse, and this has not prevented them -through conscientious and constructive policies- from utilizing modern biotechnology. National policy decisions on modern Agricultural Biotechnology should be adopted after consulting with Peruvian scientific experts and, in this way, based on solid scientific arguments.
Our vision is that Peru can benefit from modern biotechnology. This requires real promotion of scientific, regulatory and innovative capacities for Peruvians, leading to increased productive competitiveness, just like many developing countries, including our neighbors. However, the success in achieving this task will depend in great part on the sincerity, scientific rigor, and objectivity of all participants: scientists, producers, regulators, and the media, so they would provide society with the trust needed for the use of this technology making sure that all concerns will be considered in a technical and responsible manner.
Modern Biotechnology is an instrument for Peru’s economic development that will help to promote internal food security, enhance foreign trade competitiveness, preserve our rich biodiversity, care for the environment, and generate jobs. At the same time, it will allow us to fulfill all obligations implicit in trade agreements that Peru has already signed and in those currently under negotiation. This will position us to the level of those countries with which we are competing commercially so as to achieve a more prosperous and developed Peru.
Prosperous, continuing, and successful trade among the APEC Economies will only be possible if development of science & technology is resolutely pursued in each and every participating country. Biotechnology and Bioengineering are environmentally clean technologies of the 21st century with which all APEC Economies have the opportunity to grow and contribute to on an individual basis, regardless of their present level of economic development. In fact, several APEC Economies are global leaders in their use. Unfortunately, Peru is not yet taking part of their benefits.
Three weeks ago, the College of Engineers of Peru and the College of Biologists of Peru – national institutions that together comprise over 114,000 Peruvian professionals as members- organized a Forum on the benefits of biotechnology and, specifically, genetic modification for agricultural development in Peru. After an extensive debate at this forum organized by both Colleges, which by law act as advisory institutions to the Peruvian state, important conclusions and recommendations were reached, such as the following:
1. Genetically Modified -or “transgenic”- Organisms (GMOs) have not affected human health and it is not justifiable to expect them to do so after more than thirteen years of safe use by hundreds of millions of people around the world.
2. Commercial cultivation of genetically modified plant varieties should be the subject of scientific risk assessment on a case by case and step by step basis, according to biosafety regulation standards to ensure their continued safety to human health and the environment.
3. Genetically modified crops constitute a technology option of great potential positive effect for the farmer which can coexist with organic and conventional cropping systems without any environmental problem. To date, 12.2 million farmers all over the world, 90% of them small producers, successfully cultivate genetically modified plant varieties with excellent economic and environmental results, and they do so by their own choosing. It was concluded that Peruvian farmers should not be denied access to this new technology as a result of unfounded fears or arguments with no real scientific basis.
4. There are no grounds to oppose the concept of organic agriculture to one based on Biotechnology. Organic agriculture –as a substitute to conventional farming- does not maximize yields and productivity; arable land area is limited in Peru; and there is insufficient guano production, thus making it a questionable option to secure food supply in this country.
5. Those particular crops, for which Peru is center of origin and diversity, must be considered on a case by case basis in order to develop a suitable management that prevents any negative impact on biodiversity. Bans and moratoria with no scientific basis are ethically and technologically unjustified.
So far this year, three different meetings on biotechnology have taken place in Peru within the framework of APEC, such as: a) Research, Development and Extension, b) Investments, and c) High Level Policies on Modern Biotechnology, that follow other similar meetings conducted in past years to prepare the path to joint projects, investments and trade among APEC Economies using the added value that will result from the application of modern biotechnology.
It is necessary that regulations listed under Law 27104 specific to productive sectors be established, so that biosafety procedures for the responsible introduction of genetically modified crops in Peru could be started. Its implementation by scientific institutions, both public and private, will allow for a true utilization of our genetic resources.
Several of the APEC area countries are –like Peru- megabiodiverse, and this has not prevented them -through conscientious and constructive policies- from utilizing modern biotechnology. National policy decisions on modern Agricultural Biotechnology should be adopted after consulting with Peruvian scientific experts and, in this way, based on solid scientific arguments.
Our vision is that Peru can benefit from modern biotechnology. This requires real promotion of scientific, regulatory and innovative capacities for Peruvians, leading to increased productive competitiveness, just like many developing countries, including our neighbors. However, the success in achieving this task will depend in great part on the sincerity, scientific rigor, and objectivity of all participants: scientists, producers, regulators, and the media, so they would provide society with the trust needed for the use of this technology making sure that all concerns will be considered in a technical and responsible manner.
Modern Biotechnology is an instrument for Peru’s economic development that will help to promote internal food security, enhance foreign trade competitiveness, preserve our rich biodiversity, care for the environment, and generate jobs. At the same time, it will allow us to fulfill all obligations implicit in trade agreements that Peru has already signed and in those currently under negotiation. This will position us to the level of those countries with which we are competing commercially so as to achieve a more prosperous and developed Peru.
Ernesto Bustamante, PhD, National Dean of the College of Biologists of Peru
Eng. Carlos Herrera-Descalzi, National Dean of the College of Engineers of Peru
Signatures on behalf of the Peruvian Association for the Development of Biotechnology, PeruBiotec:
Alexander Grobman, PhD
Luis Destefano-Beltran, PhD
Marcel Gutierrez-Correa, PhD
Ricardo Fujita, PhD
Jorge Mayer, PhD
Dr. Doris Sanchez-Pinedo
Dr. Rolando Estrada-Jiménez
Dr. Javier Verastegui
Dr. Mauro Quiñones-Aguilar
Enrique Fernandez-Northcote, PhD
Susana Sirvas-Cornejo, PhD
Lima, November 19 2008
