MANILA: A senior member of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) has reiterated the safety and agricultural benefits of genetically modified organisms like Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant, despite recent legal hurdles.
According to Philippines News Agency, Eufemio Rasco Jr., these GMOs are safe to consume and offer significant advantages for farmers, including higher yields and reduced need for pesticides. This affirmation comes in the wake of a Court of Appeals decision to halt their commercial propagation due to health and environmental concerns. Rasco emphasized that NAST supports the use of GMOs based on scientific evidence, comparing their potential to the crucial role science played during the COVID-19 pandemic. NAST has sent its position, which supports the continued use of these GMOs, to various government agencies, including the Supreme Court.