The Philippines’ permission to cultivate genetically modified rice to increase vitamin A content was withdrawn by a court, but the government is anticipated to file an appeal.
Despite a court ruling that revoked the permission to cultivate genetically modified golden rice, farmers in the Philippines might still be able to grow the crop in order to fight malnutrition.
According to Adrian Dubock, a member of the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board that oversaw the development of the rice, the Philippine government would contest the judgment. “I assume that the objection will be successful when it is filed with the appellate court,” he states.
Golden rice was created to fight vitamin A deficiency, which is a leading global cause of death and disability. Up to 500,000 youngsters are thought to go blind as a result of it every year, with half of them passing away within a year.
If kids eat foods high enough in vitamin A or precursors like beta-carotene, this can be completely avoided. The body transforms this orange pigment—found in foods like carrots—into the vitamin.
Because of the pigment’s vibrant color, rice that had been genetically engineered to include beta-carotene in the 1980s came to be known as “golden rice.”
