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Court of Appeals recently revoked biosafety permits for genetically modified golden rice and Bt eggplant until all safety, health and legal issues have been addressed The Court of Appeals found the Philippine government did not establish mechanisms to monitor the safety of growing and consuming golden rice. Photo: iStock. A court in the Philippines recently revoked biosafety permits for commercial propagation of genetically modified golden rice and Bt eggplant.

The decision is circulating in the international media, as proponents of GM crops have claimed the decision may have disastrous consequences for children with vitamin A deficiency, ignoring the safety violations noted by the court. Golden rice, so named because of its rich yellow colour, was genetically engineered to contain higher levels of the micronutrients iron and zinc in the grains while also producing beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. In 2021, the Philippines became the first country to approve commercial production of the rice variety.



However, non-profit organisations such as Greenpeace and local farmers protested the decision. On April 17, 2024, Court of Appeals of the Philippines (CA) issued a cease and desist order and ordered a stop to the commercial propagation, field testing and conduct of activities related to golden rice and Bt eggplant until all safety, health and legal issues have been addressed. The court stopped production of the crops “until such time that the concerned respondent governm.

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