In the Philippines, a court has revoked the permit to grow ‘golden’ rice genetically modified to boost vitamin A and fight malnutrition, however the government is expected to appeal against this court decision.
A spokesperson from the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board confirmed that an objection will be filed with the appellate court, and is expected to be successful.
Golden rice was developed to combat vitamin A deficiency, a major cause of disability and death worldwide. The deficiency is also estimated to result in up to half a million children becoming blind every year. In the Philippines, about 1 in 6 children aged below 5 years old is suffering from deficiency in vitamin A.
In the 1980s, a group of scientists set out to genetically engineer rice to contain beta-carotene, which became known as golden rice because of the colour from the pigment. The project however became a major target of campaigners opposed to genetically modified crops, delaying the adoption of golden rice.
In 2021, the Philippines became the first country to approve the cultivation of golden rice – which is known as ‘malusog’ or healthy rice – having previously approved it as safe to eat. It has also been approved for eating in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The rice’s growth and consumption is promoted by the Philippine Rice Research Institute, a government-linked entity.
However, on 17 April, the Court of Appeals in the Philippines revoked the permit for golden rice as a result of a case brought by Greenpeace Southeast Asia and other groups. According to Greenpeace Southeast Asia campaigner Wilhelmina Pelegrina, “This decision is a monumental win for Filipino farmers and Filipino people who have for decades stood up against genetically modified (GM) crops.”
The Philippine Rice Research Institute is reviewing the implications of the court decision to prepare its response.
