Philippine Court Halts Production of GMO ‘Golden Rice’ Citing Safety Concerns
Published on: May 4, 2024.
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Philippine Court Blocks Commercial Production of Genetically Modified Golden Rice
A Philippine court has halted the commercial propagation of genetically modified golden rice due to concerns over health and environmental safety. The court’s ruling, issued on April 17, came after 14 opponents filed a challenge to the biosafety permit granted by government regulators in 2021. The permit also applied to a genetically modified eggplant known as BT eggplant. The court cited conflicting scientific views and uncertainties regarding the risks and effects of golden rice and BT eggplant as the basis for its decision.
Golden rice, enriched with the Vitamin A precursor beta-carotene and distinguished by its bright yellow color, was developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) over a span of two decades. The goal was to combat childhood blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency, which affects up to 500,000 children annually, with half of them dying within a year of losing their vision, mostly in developing countries.
The court’s ruling prevents the commercial propagation of golden rice and BT eggplant until the concerned government agencies can provide proof of safety and compliance with all legal requirements. The decision was welcomed by opponents of genetically modified crops, including Greenpeace, who view it as a significant victory.
Golden rice and BT eggplant proponents maintain that the crops are safe. The IRRI, in collaboration with PhilRice, intends to continue developing nutritional interventions through rice research. Regulators in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States have conducted positive food safety evaluations of golden rice. Nevertheless, activists and environmental groups critical of genetically modified plants have strongly opposed their cultivation.
The ruling by the Philippine court raises questions about the future of genetically modified crops in the country and their potential to address food security and improve public health. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the efforts to combat childhood blindness and advance agricultural practices in the Philippines.
Source: [Gulf News](https://gulfnews.com)
