Gov’t ensures that genetically-modified products are safe
Golden Rice project
The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the DA Biotech Program Office, assured that products of modern biotechnology like 'Golden Rice' all went through rigorous research and assessment to ensure they are safe before they reach the consumers.
To highlight 'Golden Rice', DA emphasized that there is now a Joint Department Circular titled Rules and Regulations for the Research and Development, Handling and Use, Transboundary Movement, Release into the Environment, and Management of Genetically-Modified Plant and Plant Products Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology.
This regulation governs the safe and responsible use of the products of modern biotechnology, which includes Golden Rice.
Five national government agencies, particularly the DA, Health, Science and Technology, Environment and Natural Resources, and Interior and Local Government are now involved in the implementation of the rules and regulations governing Golden Rice research.
The Golden Rice Project is still ongoing with Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) as lead agency and in coordination with International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Golden Rice is a new type of rice developed to contain beta carotene in its grain, a substance safely converted to vitamin A when needed by the body.
The development of Golden Rice is prompted by the need for an additional intervention to address vitamin A deficiency (VAD).
According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, VAD affects about 2.1 million children and a number of pregnant and nursing women in the country. These people are at risk of going blind, getting sick, and dying from common infections and diseases if left untreated.
Golden Rice stands as an important innovation to address this persistent public health problem.
“Following all the regulatory processes, we remain steadfast in our efforts to develop a golden rice variety that will benefit both our farmers and consumers,” said Roel Suralta, Golden Rice project lead at PhilRice.
To ensure that Golden Rice is safe to people, a study was conducted to determine its nutritional composition. Results show that the nutrients in Golden Rice are the same with that of the ordinary rice, except for its beta carotene content as desired.
"Along with what’s being done in the laboratory, our regulators are also working to ensure its safety," Suralta said.
Part of the regulatory process in the conduct of the research is the environmental and health risk assessment. This is made during the conduct of the field trial.
Data will be gathered and submitted to regulators for evaluation, result of which is a major consideration in proceeding with the research.
Golden Rice will only be made available to farmers and consumers as a complementary solution to address VAD after passing all required tests and getting all necessary approvals from regulators.