Scientists have warned that a court decision to block the growing of the genetically modified (GM) crop Golden Rice in the Philippines could have catastrophic consequences. Tens of thousands of children could die in the wake of the ruling, they argue.
The Philippines had become the first country – in 2021 – to approve the commercial cultivation of Golden Rice, which was developed to combat vitamin A deficiency, a major cause of disability and death among children in many parts of the world.
But campaigns by Greenpeace and local farmers last month persuaded the country’s court of appeal to overturn that approval and to revoke this. The groups had argued that Golden Rice had not been shown to be safe and the claim was backed by the court, a decision that was hailed as “a monumental win” by Greenpeace.
Many scientists, however, say there is no evidence that Golden Rice is in any way dangerous. More to the point, they argue that it is a lifesaver.
Those quasi-infinite possibilities that happen when literally any plant (which already has hundreds of mutations just by being born) is planted and grown? No, we don’t genetically check every child plant ever planted anywhere.
You are correct that it would be way safer if we did. Then we wouldn’t get things like the fully non-GM Lenape potato that poisoned people.
But you seem to only demand such testing be done on GM crops, when those are already at lower risk because they do already have such testing done when non-GM crops don’t.