Manila, 30 June 2016 – A number of Nobel laureates have recently signed a letter calling on Greenpeace to review its position on genetically engineered \u2018Golden\u2019 rice. In response, Wilhelmina Pelegrina, Campaigner at Greenpeace Southeast Asia, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cAccusations that anyone is blocking genetically engineered \u2018Golden\u2019 rice are false. \u2018Golden\u2019 rice has failed as a solution and isn\u2019t currently available for sale, even after more than 20 years of research. As admitted by the International Rice Research Institute, it has not been proven to actually address Vitamin A Deficiency. So to be clear, we are talking about something that doesn\u2019t even exist.<\/p>\n
\u201cCorporations are overhyping \u2018Golden\u2019 rice to pave the way for global approval of other more profitable genetically engineered crops. This costly experiment has failed to produce results for the last 20 years and diverted attention from methods that already work. Rather than invest in this overpriced public relations exercise, we need to address malnutrition through a more diverse diet, equitable access to food and eco-agriculture.\u201d<\/p>\n
On alternative solutions:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only guaranteed solution to fix malnutrition is a diverse healthy diet. Providing people with real food based on ecological agriculture not only addresses malnutrition, but is also a scaleable solution to adapt to climate change.<\/p>\n
“We\u2019ve documented communities across the Philippines that continue to express concerns about using GE ‘Golden’ rice as a solution. It is irresponsible to impose GE \u2018Golden\u2019 rice as a quick remedy to people on the frontlines and who do not welcome it, particularly when there are safe and effective options already available.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreenpeace Philippines is already working with NGO partners and farmers in the Philippines to boost climate resiliency. There\u2019s a real chance here for governments and the philanthropic community to support these endeavours by investing in climate-resilient ecological agriculture and empowering farmers to access a balanced and nutritious diet, rather than pouring money down the drain for \u2018Golden\u2019 rice.\u201d<\/p>\n
ENDS<\/p>\n
Notes to editors:<\/strong> \u201cAs Stone and Glover point out, it is still unknown if the beta carotene in Golden Rice can even be converted to Vitamin A in the bodies of badly undernourished children. There also has been little research on how well the beta carotene in Golden Rice will hold up when stored for long periods between harvest seasons, or when cooked using traditional methods common in remote rural locations, they argue.\u201d<\/p>\n 2. Greenpeace International report, Twenty Years of Failure:\u00a0here <\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u00a0<\/strong>
\n1) From Washington University of St Louis\u2019, The Source<\/a>:<\/p>\n