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See also:  Bt-corn not financially rewarding
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=5420

Bad Economics of Bt corn/Bt corn ban
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=5413

GM deception in the Philippines
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=4795
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Church group sets survey to probe claim on Bt corn
By BONG REBLANDO
Manila Bulletin
http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2005062938128.html

GENERAL SANTOS CITY ”” The Diocese of Marbel says it will conduct a survey to look into claims by US multinational Monsanto that bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn gives high yield.

This came after an international environment watchdog, Greenpeace-Southeast Asia, reported that a farmer in Naujan town, Oriental Mindoro complained of low harvest from his farm planted to Bt corn.

"This is a disturbing report that contradicts claims by seed-producing firms like Monsanto of increased harvest from Bt corn," said Fr. Romeo Catedral, director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Marbel.

The survey, the priest said, will be launched soon and will involve several corn farmers in South Cotabato and General Santos. Catedral hopes that the result of the survey would be released this year.

Aside from Monsanto, Pioneer Hibred, another foreign company, is also producing commercial Bt corn seeds whose yield is much higher than the ordinary corn.

This claim, however, was being disputed by environmentalist groups, the Catholic Church and other militant organizations.

The diocese’s 24 parishes in the Socsargen (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City) growth corridor would be involved in the survey. The farmers who would participate are assured of confidentiality in the information they will provide.

"The various social action centers in Socsargen," Catedral said, "would soon meet to draw up plans and mechanics of the survey and other related social matters affecting human health vis-à-vis Bt corn."

Catedral reiterated Church's official opposition to Bt corn, saying the genetically engineered crop is harmful to man and the environment until after further scientific studies, globally accepted, say otherwise.