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A Biotech experience with the NRCP Experts

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 02:22 AM    Views : 690by:Joselito Alonte Carteciano

MGA KAALAMANG BIOTECKNOLOHIYA: Agrikultura, Kalusugan, at Kapaligian is the TV set-up discussion activity of the National Research Council of the Philippines for the celebration of the 2017 National Biotechnology Week held at Brentwood Suite, Quezon City on 22 November 2017.

Photo 1:  Over 60 biotech research practitioners and BS Biology students of the Far Eastern University and University of the East (FEU) attentively listens to resource speaker, Dr. Claro N. Mingala, Chair of NRCP Division of Veterinary Medicine (NRCP Division XIII) as he presents information on Biotechnology.  He said, biotechnology simply means, the use of living organism to increase agricultural productivity, enhance the quality of crops, bio-pest control, and the likes and we encounter biotechnology in our everyday life in vinegar, cheese, yogurt, coffee creamer, and many more.

Photo 2:  Dr. Mingala in brown suit  is flanked by the forum Reactors (L - R) Ms. Lyn Resurreccion, Science Writer / Editor of the Business Mirror and one of the awardees of 2016 Faces of Biotechnology given by the Department of Agriculture; Dr. Arnel Bas Beltran and Dr. Ramon Christian Eusebio who are members of  NRCP Division of  Engineering and Industrial Research (NRCP Division VII) and currently based in De La Salle Manila and University of the Philippines Los Baņos respectively.

Ms. Resurreccion shares current information on genetically modified (GM) corn the Bt corn and the Supreme Court reversal of its decision on Bt talong and other genetically modified organisms (GMOs).  Dr. Beltran stresses the importance of appropriate infrastructures and proper planning if Biotech and GMO products and technologies are introduced for public use and consumption.  Dr. Eusebio, an environmental engineer is more concerned about the "chemical secretions" of GMOs and biotech induced crops.  He hopes that proper impact study must be put in place when biotech and GMOs flood the country.

Photo 3:  An FEU BS Biology student asks Dr. Mingala about genetically modifying Philippine cattle.  Former Chair of NRCP Division of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Orville L. Bondoc conducted research on karyotyping Philippine water buffalo wherein he studied and decoded some good-traits-genes.

Photo 4: The program host Ms. Melly Tenorio of Philippine News Agency and Program Host of DZRD Radyo ng Bayan.

Photo 5: NRCP Executive Director Marieta Baņez Sumagaysay (middle) is with (L - R) Drs. Eusebio and Beltran along with Misses Resurreccion and Tenorio, Dr. Mingala and RIDD/IDS Joselito A. Carteciano.

Photo 6:  NRCP ED Sumagaysay cracks some jokes on biotech and GMO.  She asks if H5N1 is bird flu what disease is H-1-K-A? answer: HIKA or asthma.  Another joke on GMO goes like this, what would you have if you combine BAMBOO with a BANANA? Answer: BANANACUE (sweetened banana in a bamboo stick).

Source: http://www.nrcp.dost.gov.ph/latest-news/311-a-biotech-experience-with-the-nrcp-experts

S & T Trivia

" In 1971, a team was led by Dr. Emerita V. de Guzman in making the first makapuno (coconut mutant for delicacies) harvest from a test tube. A student at the University of Santo Tomas named Teodula K. Africa made the first nata de coco (fermented coconut gelatin) in 1979. "

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