Golden Rice

Context: The Philippines Court of Appeals revoked biosafety permits for commercial propagation of genetically modified (GM) golden rice and Bt eggplant.Court Decision and its Implications : Cease and Desist 
 

Order

•    On April 17, 2024, a court issued a cease and desist order   that   halted   all   activities   related   to   the cultivation and distribution of genetically modified (GM) crops until safety, health, and legal concerns are fully addressed.
-     Safety Concerns: The court highlighted a lack of evidence proving the safety of these GM crops and noted that the relevant government agencies had not complied with legal requirements.
-     Monitoring Deficiencies: It was determined that there were no established mechanisms to monitor the safety of growing and consuming golden rice.

Golden Rice

• Golden rice is a genetically engineered variety of rice (Oryza sativa) designed to produce beta-carotene, which is a precursor of vitamin A. This development aims to mitigate vitamin A deficiencies prevalent in regions where this nutrient is lacking in diets. Despite facing substantial opposition from environmental and anti-globalization activists, golden rice received support from over 100 Nobel laureates in 2016 due to its potential to produce significantly higher levels of beta-carotene, enhancing its nutritional benefits.
-     Approval History : The Philippines became the first country to approve the commercial production of golden rice in 2021, developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

Bt Eggplant

•    Bt eggplant was developed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to improve the safety and productivity of eggplant production.
Opposition and Legal Actions
-     Non-Profit Protests: Organizations such as Greenpeace, along with local farmers, have opposed the commercial propagation of GM crops.
- Writ of Kalikasan: On October 17, 2022, a coalition of local farmers, scientists, NGOs, and other advocates filed a Writ of Kalikasan. This legal action aimed to protect the constitutional right to a healthy environment.
Public Health Context
• Vitamin A deficiency is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a significant public health issue, affecting approximately one-third of children aged 6 to 59 months in 2013, particularly in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Conclusion

•    The  court\'s  decision  to  revoke  the  biosafety  permits  for  golden  rice  and  Bt  eggplant  has  substantial implications for the future of agricultural biotechnology in the Philippines. While supporters advocate for the nutritional benefits of GM crops like golden rice, the court\'s ruling underscores the necessity for rigorous safety and legal compliance, reflecting broader concerns about potential environmental and health impacts.