Thousands of children could die after court backs campaign group over GM crop in Philippines, scientists warn

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.

  • efstajas@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    I’m so fucking concerned about climate change… But I can’t vote Green because of their stupid, anti-scientific stances on two issues: GMOs and nuclear power. For context, I’m in Germany, where there’s very public hysteria about both. The general public still holds absurdly distorted and misinformed views, so none of the green-aligned parties are ballsy enough to hold positions on them that are in any way nuanced. It’s super frustrating.

    • piecat@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      Both GMOs and nuclear can be used to mitigate climate change too… :(

      • efstajas@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        Exactly! The fact that we’re shutting down our reactors all the while still burning coal is so backwards.

        • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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          5 months ago

          At a certain point I think governments should start investigating Greenpeace. The policies they support are exactly what the fossil fuels lobby would want.

          They are anti-nuclear which effectively means pro-coal.

          They are anti-GMOs which effectively means more fertilizers made from natural gas.

        • cqst@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          5 months ago

          If nuclear waste DID pollute water, it would still help combat climate change, specifically the warming of the earth. It doesn’t pollute water, and nuclear waste can be stored deep underground or reused. But we are out of time to find a “perfect solution” nuclear power is the ONLY option to provide renewable and carbon neutral base load power that other forms of “green electricity” will NEVER be able to compete with.

          It’s coal or nukes. You better figure out which one you want fast.

          • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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            5 months ago

            You, redisdead, already used this personal attack in this thread. Where are the mods when you need one? Thought this was a place to discuss ideas not attack the intelligence of those that disagree

    • Draedron@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      5 months ago

      The greens being anti nuclear is a good thing. We dont have the storage for the nuclear waste. The greens in germany are the party with the best energy politics. I wont vote for them because they are pro deportation though.

      • AutistoMephisto@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        Bullshit we don’t have the storage. Fucking NIMBYs. 80% of our planet is covered in water, and at its deepest point there is no life. And the waste absolutely can be reused. Think, Draeron, think. Why is nuclear waste dangerous? It’s dangerous because it still contains usable energy. It’s still fissile. It’s only “waste” because the reactor it came out of cannot fission it any further. So we put it into a newer reactor that can. And we keep using it until it’s rendered inert.

        • pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online
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          5 months ago

          They’re likely talking about other nuclear waste besides spent fuel rods.

          They’re still wrong, but it makes a bit more sense from that perspective.

          • AutistoMephisto@lemmy.world
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            5 months ago

            They might be talking about waste that radiology departments produce, but that’s a drop in the bucket compared to the waste generated by the energy sector.

            • pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online
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              5 months ago

              No, I meant the radioactive waste water and such. There’s different levels of radioactive waste that nuclear plants produce, and it’s not just spent fuel.