An aquaculture technology laboratory being set up for South East Asia is paving the way toward the adoption of biotechnology for developing more productive, genetically modified fishery products in the Philippines. Dr. Rolando R. Platon, chief of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) aquaculture department (AQD) in Tigbauan, Iloilo, said that a P400 million grant of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) may later drive up the country into the development of genetically modified fish such as those being done in the United States. At the onset, it will focus on hybrid technologies using conventional means of propagating fishes that make them bigger in nature and faster in multiplication.

Aguiba, M. M. (2002, August 25). Aquaculture lab at SEAFDEC seen paving way for GM products. Manila Bulletin, p. B-2.