A Philippine court has halted the commercial propagation of genetically modified golden rice and eggplant due to concerns over potential health and environmental risks, despite the foods being approved by government regulators and shown to combat childhood blindness through their beta-carotene content. The decision, which reverses a 2021 biosafety permit, was made following challenges by 14 opponents, including Greenpeace, citing uncertainties about the safety of the modified foods. The developers of the rice and eggplant, including the International Rice Research Institute and the University of the Philippines Los Banos, have insisted on the food's safety and are reviewing the court's ruling. Environmental groups like Greenpeace welcome the decision, viewing genetically modified crops with skepticism and advocating for climate resilient ecological agriculture.