Editorial: The Guardian

• Golden Rice, a grain enhanced with vitamin A developed through genetic manipulation, could save the lives of thousands of children who die each year due to this vitamin deficiency.
• Despite field trials proving its effectiveness and safety, opposition from the green movement, led by Greenpeace, has prevented the commercial cultivation of this crop.
• Greenpeace argues there are more practical solutions to improving vitamin A deficiency and accuses corporations of overhyping Golden Rice's efficacy to pave the way for approval of more profitable GM crops.
• The blocking of Golden Rice's cultivation in the Philippines, which was set to become the first nation to commercially cultivate it, has been seen by scientists as a disaster that could result in the deaths of thousands of children in coming years.
• A blanket refusal to accept genetic manipulation despite the scientific evidence of its benefits is a dangerous mindset that can cause widespread harm.

Conclusion: A change in the green movement is needed, ending opposition to the cultivation of Golden Rice could mark the start of this change. Despite their noble work in protecting the environment and endangered species, by refusing to consider life-saving technologies for ideological reasons, the movement is doing itself, and the planet, a disservice.

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