Genetically modified bananas

As far as I can remember, I have always been against using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to produce food. That has always been my belief, because I did not like the idea of splicing animal DNA into plant DNA. That was my belief, because I knew that the food companies were splicing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes from an animal DNA (from bacteria) into the DNA of the corn plant. As much as I would rather not eat genetically modified corn, I have no way of knowing now which are GMO corn and which are not in the markets, because of very poor enforcement of labeling laws in this country.

By now, I seem to have no choice but to accept the fact that the battle against GMO foods is all but lost. Although I still would not want to stop fighting it if I still could, I am now willing to tolerate certain GMO foods only if one plant DNA is mixed with another plant DNA. And now, scientists from Australia have created a new strain of bananas by adding a gene from a wild banana. In other words, from plant to plant, from banana to banana. That is why I think that there is perfectly nothing wrong with doing that. And now, the new strain is resistant to the Panama disease, a virus that affects both banana and abaca plants. Can you imagine what that can do to boost our agriculture? Aside from being able to produce and export more bananas, we can now do the same with abaca products. It is a good time to do that now, to replace many plastic materials.

 

Addiction to electronic gadgets

Microsoft Bing defines addiction to electronic gadgets as the “uncontrollable urge or impulse to continue using technology to the point that it starts to interfere with the individual’s mental, physical and social life”. Take note that the operative word here is “uncontrollable”, meaning to say that the definition excludes regular and customary use, within what is generally perceived to be normal or “controlled” use.

In theory, electronic gadgets are supposed to be used as “tools” that could help us improve our “mental, physical and social life”. It is supposed to enhance what we are normally doing, meaning that these are not supposed to replace what we are doing with actions and activities that could already be considered as abnormal. Microsoft Bing also says that “gadget addiction affects all age groups and people of all races, and can lead to mental, physical, emotional and even political consequences”.

While it is generally believed that the problem of addiction to gadgets affect the young people more, that is not true. That belief could be due to the fact that young people are more adept in using social media, internet surfing, video games and everything online. Just like any other addiction, the solution to the problem could eventually lead to treatments such as therapies, and even confinements in specialized facilities. Perhaps it is time to deal with this problem before it gets out of hand? Shall we call the attention of the DOH?

 

Questioning the legal age of consent

Republic Act 11846 has raised the age of consent in the Philippines from 12 to 16. The new law, signed about two years ago by former President Rodrigo Duterte, was hailed as a major breakthrough by many sectors, considering that it put the Philippines at par with other countries that also has 16 as the age of consent. But should we be happy about that?

The age of voting in the Philippines is 18, and so is the age of drinking, although some LGUs have raised the minimum age to 21. Any Filipino citizen aged 16 years old and above could apply for a student permit, and anyone aged 17 years old and above could apply for a non-professional driver’s license if they are allowed by their parents.

As for me, I suggest that the permit be extended up to 18 years old, after which the licensees could apply on their own, even without parental consent. Since the age of majority in the Philippines is 18 years old, it goes without saying that that anyone who is under 18 is technically a child, and therefore should neither be allowed to vote nor drink. He or she may be allowed to drive, but only with a student permit. That said, I think that anyone below the age of 18 should not be legally allowed to consent to sex, on the simple argument that he or she is still a child. Statistics show that teen pregnancy is increasing, and it could be partly due to the age of consent being below 18. Depression among the youth is also increasing, and could be a contributing factor to higher teenage suicides rates.