Philippines: SC orders stop to the commercial release of genetically modified rice and eggplant products

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 19) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a writ of kalikasan in a case seeking to stop the commercial release of genetically modified rice and eggplant products. Petitioners, led by farmers’ group Magasasaka at Siyentipiko Para sa Pag-Unlad ng Agrikultura, claimed that Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant are genetically modified organisms, which need further study on its safety. According to petitioners, Golden Rice is a modified rice injected with maize or corn and a gene from bacteria found in soil, which allows the plant to biosynthesize beta-carotene — a source of Vitamin A — in the edible parts of rice. Meanwhile, the petitioners said the Bt Eggplant was designed to produce its own toxin to kill fruit and shoot borer, a common pest that consumes and damages eggplants. The Supreme Court required the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Philippine Rice ...