THE PROMOTION AND PROPAGATION OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS AND ALL FORMS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY DESTRUCTIVE ACTIVITIES ARE ALL SIGNS OF HUMAN GREED

(A Statement made by the more than 600 participants of the Archdiocese of Manila Ministry on Ecology Earth Day celebration and Public Forum on GMO last April 22, 2010 at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati City.)

The three major alarming threats now to life on earth are GLOBAL WARMING & CLIMATE CHANGE, GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS, AND THE ARTIFICIAL CREATION OF NEW LIFE FORMS.

The advent of global warming is a manifestation of a much deeper environmental issue, which is the lack of respect for living creatures. There should be a conscious responsibility in the use of natural resources, and constant care of the environment to keep the harmonious balance of the intricate web of life on the planet. There is an urgent need for a re-orientation of man’s role as “steward” (cf Gen 1:28) of all creation to drive home the truth that humans should not play “god” but be servants of creation.

Bt eggplant is just one among the enumerable genetic modifications being done to various plants and animals to mitigate problems of food shortage, farming and climate change, which inadvertently create more serious permanent problems, outweighing the temporary alleviation it is trying to provide. Bt eggplant and even Bt Corn are great challenges to combat if at least to correct the damage it brings out. Humans have to be reminded once more of the true meaning of “tilling” and “keeping” creation (cf Gen 3:17-19).

Biotechnology not just mutilates the cell designs of every living organism but actually creates artificial life forms. Humans have exercised their “dominion” over all creation, forgetting that the command of God is not a simple bestowal of authority, but a call to responsibility. Every creature belongs to God (cf Gen. 2:15) and man cannot do whatever he wants to it for only God knows the wisdom of His whole creation.

Pope John Paul II stated that ..“Many recent discoveries have brought undeniable benefits to humanity. Indeed, they demonstrate the nobility of the human vocation to participate RESPONSIBLY in God’s creative action in the world. Unfortunately, it is now clear that the application of these discoveries in the fields of industry and agriculture has produced harmful long-term effects. This has led to the painful realization that WE CANNOT INTERFERE IN ONE AREA OF THE ECOSYSTEM WITHOUT PAYING DUE ATTENTION BOTH TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH INTERFERENCE IN OTHER AREAS AND TO THE WELL-BEING OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.” World Day of Peace Message, Jan. 1990

In his message, “If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, made this appeal: “Can we remain indifferent before the problems associated with such realities as climate change, desertification, the deterioration and loss of productivity in vast agricultural areas, the pollution of rivers and aquifers, the loss of biodiversity, the increase of natural catastrophes and the deforestation of equatorial and tropical regions? Can we disregard the growing phenomenon of environmental “refugees”, people who are forced by the degradation of their natural habitat to forsake it—and often their possessions as well—in order to face the dangers and uncertainties of forced displacement? Can we remain impassive in the face of actual and potential conflicts involving access to natural resources?”

This call of the present crisis requires everyone to ponder and review together the path we are to take before we continue to move on towards either life or death. As Christians and responsible citizens, we are being challenged to positively respond with concrete actions now! We hereby commit to:

Further educate ourselves regarding the dangers of GMOs.
Remain vigilant against the use, consumption, and distribution of GMOs.
Support organic farming which respects nature as originally planned by our Creator.
Demand our legislators and concerned government officials to enact and implement laws protecting the public from GMOs and the harsh impacts of climate change.
Support only candidates with genuine concern and agenda for the protection of the environment during the coming election.
Strengthen ecology related programs in parishes and in every catholic institutions.

AFFIRMED AND SIGNED BY THE PARTICIPANTS led by Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, DD the Auxiliary Bishop of Manila.