In a decisive move, the Court of Appeals has halted the commercial propagation of two controversial genetically modified crops, Golden Rice and Bt eggplant, amidst debates over their safety and environmental impact. The court's 143-page verdict, delivered on April 17, revoked the biosafety permits previously granted to the University of the Philippines Los Baños and the Philippine Rice Research Institute, siding with environmental groups' concerns.

The ruling came after Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad Agrikultura and Greenpeace Southeast Asia filed a petition for a temporary environmental protection order. The Supreme Court's subsequent writ of kalikasan mandated a thorough review by the respondents.

The Court of Appeals invoked the precautionary principle, advocating for caution in the face of potential irreversible environmental harm. This principle underscores the court's stance that the proponents of GMOs bear the responsibility of proving their safety.

Golden Rice, engineered to combat Vitamin A deficiency, and Bt eggplant, designed to resist pests, now face an uncertain future as the court demands more rigorous risk assessments and monitoring protocols from government agencies.

This landmark decision underscores the ongoing global debate on GMOs and the stringent scrutiny required to ensure public health and environmental safety.