A group of organic movers, farmers and traders on Sunday staged a protest against the field trials of genetically modified (GMO) eggplants and other GMO food products during their market fair in Makati City. Led by Mara Pardo de Tavera, organic food advocate and owner of organic market pioneer Mara’s Organic Market, about 200 organic farmers and traders at the Legazpi Sunday Market asked President Aquino to order the Department of Agriculture and other government research institutions to abandon plans of field-testing the BT eggplant, which is believed to contain toxins that can cause cancer and skin diseases to humans.
“We just want the people to know that there are still safer food choices available for them which cannot cause health problems and complications,” De Tavera said.
To avoid this kind of health problem, De Tavera advised fellow Filipinos to slowly shift to organic food. Although a bit pricier, she said that these naturally grown food products are environment- and health- friendly. The group estimates that organic products cost about 30 to 50 percent higher than the regular variety available in the market.
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