A court in the Philippines recently revoked biosafety permits for commercial propagation of genetically
modified golden rice and Bt eggplant.
About Golden rice
Golden Rice is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene (provitamin A, a plant pigment that the body
converts into vitamin A as needed).
This compound is what gives this grain its yellow-orange or golden colour, hence its name.
Golden Rice is developed through genetic engineering.
Like ordinary rice, Golden Rice does not require any special cultivation practices, and generally has the
same yield and agronomic performance.
In July 2021, the Philippines became the first country in the world to approve Golden Rice for commercial
propagation.
Golden Rice has been assessed to be as safe as ordinary rice with the added benefit of beta-carotene in
the grains by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Health Canada , the United States Food and Drug
Administration and Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry.
