MANILA, May 30, 2008—Pope Benedict XVI might y issue a “favorable” stand on the use genetically modified food as an answer to world hunger, a Catholic bishop hinted Friday.
Bishop Jose Oliveros, Episcopal Commission on Bioethics chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said the Vatican is set to release its report early next month.
The Vatican had been neutral on the issue, but is said to have been swayed by scientific evidence of biotechnology’s safety and the unrelenting problem on world hunger.
“Reports said the concern of the Holy Father is the fact that there are millions of people who sleep at night hungry. So how do we solve the question of hunger? Biotechnology gives us an answer,” he said.
The Malolos bishop said it would “not be contrary to the nature of man” to use biotechnology “because we are created by God with a mind that can improve nature.”
“That’s a principle that can be used in allowing the use of biotechnology,” Oliveros said.
But the bishop clarified the biotechnology advocates cannot yet rejoice until the Pope issues the official statement in June.
He said unless the Vatican say otherwise, the CBCP’s stand against biotechnology in the country will stay.
Oliveros said the Church’s concern on the proper implementation of the regulations on biotechnology products is always there to ensure their safety for humans, animals and the environment.
The CBCP official recently declared his willingness for a dialogue with advocates and stakeholders of biotechnology.
He stressed a dialogue will enlighten all stakeholders and even anti-biotechnology and anti-genetically modified organism (GMO) groups must be invited to such a discussion.
Last week, Oliveros already met with officials of the Department of Agriculture—Biotechnology Program Office to discuss updates on biotechnology projects.
The Vatican’s support for biotechnology would be a major boon for those claiming GMO technology can help protect crops and increase yields, boost the stability and size of the world’s food supply.
Others in the U.S., Europe and Asia who were previously neutral or opposed to biotechnology are also reconsidering their stances in the face of a growing world population and tight food supplies. (Roy Lagarde)
