Policies: Enablers of new breeding technology in Philippines

Advances in gene editing and science-based regulation are opening new possibilities for agricultural innovation in Asia, experts said during the Pan-Asia Farmers Exchange Program held in the Philippines.

Gene editing is precise changes with big impact

Dr. Antonio Alfonso from the CropLife Asia - Plant Biotechnology Innovation Working Group explained that gene editing represents a natural evolution of plant breeding and gives limitless benefits. 

Gene editing could help address major challenges facing global agriculture. Climate change, population growth and limited farmland are placing increasing pressure on food production systems. Gene editing helps create crops that tolerate drought and extreme temperatures, resist pests and diseases, contain improved nutritional value while maintaining quality longer after harvest.

For decades, scientists have relied on conventional breeding methods such as hybridization, crossing and selection to create improved crop varieties. Gene editing follows the same goal but uses modern molecular tools to make targeted adjustments in a plant’s DNA.

"Such a minor modification can significantly influence the traits expressed by the plant: higher yield, better quality or resistance to pests and diseases," he said.

Despite the use of advanced tools in the early stages, gene editing ultimately follows the same downstream processes as traditional plant breeding. Once a desired trait has been introduced, breeders must still conduct selection, field trials and performance evaluation before a new variety can be released to farmers.

"After the genetic change is made, the rest of the breeding pipeline is essentially the same," Dr. Alfonso said. In some cases, the resulting plant may not contain any foreign genetic material. When this happens, scientists argue that the crop can be treated similarly to those developed through traditional breeding methods.

Such improvements can contribute to sustainability. Appropriate regulations can enable more rapid discovery to deployment of products for farmers and consumers to realize the benefits faster. "Plant varieties developed through the latest plant breeding methods should be treated like conventional varieties if they produce outcomes that could occur in nature", he noted.

Philippines updates first gene-edited products

"Policies are critical enablers of innovation," suggested Ms. Lorelei Agbagala, head of the secretariat of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines. 

According to Agbagala, the Philippines has had a biosafety regulatory system in place since the 1990s. However, as technologies such as gene editing emerged, policymakers recognized the need to clarify how these innovations should be assessed.

The Department of Agriculture of the Philippines later issued Memorandum Circular No. 8 2022, which established the rules and procedures for determining whether a gene-edited plant falls under GMO regulations. By using a product-based approach, meaning regulators focus on the characteristics of the final product rather than the technology used to develop it.

If the plant contains a novel genetic combination, it will be regulated as a genetically modified organism. If no such genetic novelty is present, the product may follow a regulatory pathway similar to that used for conventional crop varieties.

"The regulatory process is also aligned with the country’s ease-of-doing-business policy, which encourages government agencies to complete technical evaluations within a defined timeframe," Agbagala said.

Under the current framework, developers of gene-edited crops must submit a formal request to the Bureau of Plant Industry, providing detailed scientific information about the product. Experts from the bureau and external institutions evaluate the data before issuing a determination.

If the product falls within GMO regulations, the developer must apply for a biosafety permit. If it is considered outside the scope of GMO rules, the bureau issues a certificate of non-coverage.

This certificate confirms that the plant does not require regulation under GMO guidelines, although it must still comply with other agricultural regulations, including variety registration and plant quarantine requirements.

To issue Memorandum Circular No. 8, at least 3 stakeholder consultations were conducted across the country (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) to gather feedback from researchers, farmers and industry representatives.

In April 2023, regulators determined that a reduced-browning banana developed by Tropic Biosciences did not fall under GMO regulations. It became the first gene-edited product evaluated under the country’s new framework. Other products include tomatoes with higher levels of GABA and variety resistant to Panama disease that have recently received regulatory clearance.

Philippine authorities are continuing to expand their policy framework for new breeding technologies. Discussions are underway to develop guidelines for gene editing in animals, fish and other organisms, ensuring that regulatory systems keep pace with scientific progress.

Ms. Lorelei Agbagala concluded that science-based policies and transparent regulatory systems will unlock the potential of gene editing to strengthen food security and support sustainable agriculture.