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Context

• The Philippines Court of Appeals revoked biosafety permits for commercial propagation of genetically modified (GM) golden rice and Bt eggplant.

ARTICLES ON GM CROPS:

https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/gm-crops-46

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/gm-crops-40#:~:text=What%20are%20GM%20crops%3F,crop%20is%20called%20GM%20food.

Court Decision and its Implications

• Cease and Desist Order: Issued on April 17, 2024, halting all activities related to these GM crops until safety, health, and legal issues are addressed.
• Safety Concerns: The court cited lack of proof of safety and compliance with legal requirements by the concerned government agencies.
• Monitoring Deficiencies: Determined that no mechanisms were in place 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 biosynthesize beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, in its edible parts, aiming to address vitamin A deficiencies in regions where this nutrient is lacking in the diet.
• Despite significant opposition from environmental and anti-globalization activists, more than 100 Nobel laureates endorsed the use of genetically modified golden rice in 2016, highlighting its potential to produce up to 23 times more beta-carotene than the original version, thus enhancing its nutritional benefits.

Approval History:

• The Philippines approved commercial production in 2021, the first country to do so.
• Created by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

Bt Eggplant:

• Developed by the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) to enhance eggplant production safety and productivity.

Opposition and Legal Actions

• Non-Profit Protests: Organizations like Greenpeace and local farmers opposed the commercial propagation of GM crops.
• Writ of Kalikasan: Filed on October 17, 2022, by a coalition of local farmers, scientists, NGOs, and other advocates to protect the constitutional right to a healthy environment.

Public Health Context

• Vitamin A Deficiency: Classified by WHO as a public health problem affecting about one-third of children aged 6 to 59 months in 2013, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Conclusion

• The court's decision to revoke biosafety permits for golden rice and Bt eggplant has significant implications for agricultural biotechnology in the Philippines.
• While proponents argue for the nutritional benefits of GM crops like golden rice, the court emphasized the need for stringent safety and legal compliance, reflecting broader concerns about environmental and health impacts.

ARTICLES ON GM CROPS:

https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/gm-crops-46

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/gm-crops-40#:~:text=What%20are%20GM%20crops%3F,crop%20is%20called%20GM%20food.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. What is the Writ of Kalikasan under Philippine law? A) A legal remedy that ensures the right to a fair trial. B) A legal measure to protect property rights. C) A legal remedy that provides protection of one's constitutional right to a healthy environment. D) A legal instrument to safeguard freedom of speech. Answer: C) A legal remedy that provides protection of one's constitutional right to a healthy environment.