Roberto Verzola

About the author: Roberto Verzola is the secretary-general of the Philippine Greens, a group of political activists advocating the principles of ecology, social justice, and self-determination.

Researchers have discovered that genetically engineered (GE) foods can have negative health effects. These foods can unleash new pathogens, contain allergens and toxins, and increase the risk of cancer, herbicide exposure, and harm to fetuses and infants. Because the biotech industry has represented GE foods as "substantially equivalent" to conventional crops, and because a sympathetic Food and Drug Administration has supported the industry, essential tests on GE foods have not been done. Public resistance in the face of these dangers has caused some biotech companies to cut back on their GE programs.

The year 1999 marks what might be the turning point in the global fight against genetically-engineered (GE...