A coalition of farmers, consumer groups, and environmental organizations in Malaysia is urging the country's National Biosafety Board to reject a proposal for field trials of genetically modified (GM) rice. In a statement issued on Tuesday (local time), the coalition warned that the project could pose risks to food safety, ecosystems, and the rights of farmers.
The organizations involved stressed that testing GM rice in natural field conditions carries the potential for uncontrolled gene dispersal, which could affect traditional rice varieties and have long-term impacts on biodiversity. Farmers' groups also expressed concerns about dependence on new seed technologies, which could drive up production costs and create difficulties for smallholder farms.
Under current procedures, Malaysia's National Biosafety Board will make the final decision on whether to allow the pilot program. The coalition called on the authorities to carefully weigh the scientific evidence and socio-economic impacts before deciding, and demanded greater transparency in the risk assessment process.
This is not the first time that civil society organizations in Malaysia have voiced opposition to genetically modified agricultural projects. Previously, similar petitions have been submitted to relevant agencies, reflecting growing public concern about the direction of high-tech agricultural development in this Southeast Asian nation.
