MANILA, April 25, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - A Philippine court has blocked the
commercial propagation of genetically modified golden rice because it said
conflicting scientific views gave rise to "severe" health and environmental
safety concerns.

The Philippines was the first country in the world to approve golden rice,
which is enriched with the Vitamin A precursor beta-carotene and has a bright
yellow colour, in a bid to combat childhood blindness.

However, the Court of Appeals in Manila revoked a biosafety permit for
commercial production of the rice granted by government regulators in 2021
after 14 opponents filed a challenge.

The court's ruling, issued on April 17 and seen by AFP on Thursday, also
applies to a genetically modified eggplant, BT eggplant, that is pest
resistant.

"By reason of the conflicting scientific views and uncertainties on the risks
and effects of Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant, potential severe and grave
threats to the welfare of people and the environment arise," the court said.

Commercial propagation was not allowed "until such time that the concerned
respondent government agencies submit proof of safety and compliance with all
legal requirements", it said.

Experts hope the rice will help combat childhood blindness and save lives in
the developing world.

World Health Organization data show vitamin A deficiency causes up to 500,000
cases of childhood blindness every year, mostly in developing countries, with
half of those dying within 12 months of losing their sight.

Golden rice was developed over two decades by the Philippines-based
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Department of
Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), while BT eggplant
was developed by the University of the Philippines Los Banos campus.

The scientists involved insist both are safe to eat. PhilRice executive
director John de Leon said in a statement the institute was "reviewing the
implications" of the ruling to prepare its response.

The IRRI said it would continue to work with PhilRice on "developing safe and
effective nutritional interventions through rice research".

It also said golden rice had received "positive food safety evaluations" from
regulators in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.

However, the rice faced strong resistance from environmental groups opposed
to genetically altered food plants and at least one test field in the
Philippines was attacked by activists.

The opponents who filed the objection, including Greenpeace, welcomed the
ruling.

"This decision is a monumental win for Filipino farmers and Filipino people
who have for decades stood up against genetically modified crops," Greenpeace
Southeast Asia campaigner Wilhelmina Pelegrina said in a statement.

"GM crops have never been proven safe, and have hindered necessary progress
on climate resilient ecological agriculture that keeps the control of seeds
on our farmers."

Ordinary rice, a staple for hundreds of millions of people, particularly in
Asia, produces beta-carotene in the plant but it is not found in the grain.