From Bangladesh, The
Daily Star’s slogan is “Journalism
Without Fear or Favor.” I’m ecstatic that that
Bangladeshi slogan fits perfectly my Filipino attitude towards science – as my title
indicates.
Sharing the topmost image, the Daily Star of 23 July 2021
says, “Philippines’ Approval Of Vitamin-A Enriched ‘Golden Rice’ A Positive For
Bangladesh To
The Department of
Agriculture in (the) Philippines has approved the release of Vitamin A-enriched
"Golden Rice," clearing the way for it to be cultivated commercially
in the country.
The Philippines is the
first country to approve its commercial cultivation….. The approval came on
Thursday after local authorities were convinced with the outcomes of years of
research that Golden Rice (was) as safe as any other variety and it could be an
effective tool to curb vitamin A deficiency in target demographics.
Earlier, in December
2019, Golden Rice received approval for direct use as food, feed and processing
from the Philippine government (that) enabled PhilRice, the national rice
research institute in (that) Southeast Asian country, to conduct sensory
evaluation research.
Before the sensory
evaluation, PhilRice conducted years of rigorous lab research and field trials
at research stations to ensure highest compliance with environmental and health
standards.
As a genetically
modified crop, Golden Rice needed environmental and health safety clearance(s)
before it could be tried in the open fields and finally approved for commercial
propagation.
Now that Golden Rice
has that overall safety clearance from my government, I ask: “What does Golden
Rice promise to do again?”
In the Philippines,
around one in five children from the poorest communities (suffers) from vitamin
A deficiency, which affects an estimated 190 million children worldwide.
The condition is the
most common cause of childhood blindness, as well as a contributing factor to a
weakened immune system.
Golden Rice is
genetically engineered to provide up to 50 percent of the estimated average
requirement of vitamin A for young children, the age group most susceptible to
Vitamin A deficiency… in the Philippines.
I note 3 things from my lengthy quotes:
(1)
1 in 5 children in the poorer villages of the
Philippines suffers from Vit A deficiency.
(2)
Lack of Vit A weakens the body’s immune system.
(3)
Golden Rice provides a maximum of 50% of the
estimated need for Vit A among children.
Based on the above, here are my conclusions:
(1)
With Golden Rice, your maximum target population
is 20% of children among poor families.
(2)
Your Golden Rice may be quite acceptable in communities
with childhood blindness.
(3)
I doubt poor parents can get the additional 50% Vit A necessary for their
children.
And
that’s exactly how I treat “Golden Rice” – preference based on one’s conviction,
experience and/or knowledge. Same with chemical fertilizers and pesticides –
it’s your choice.
(bottom image[2] from Depositphotos.com)
In
like manner, it’s
my choice as communicator for development to prescribe Olden Rice. Inbred rice, hybrid rice, heirloom rice – all
Olden Rice. I like it all natural, not man-made.
Golden
Rice? It’s your choice!@517
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