Malaysian farmers, environmental groups call for rejection of GMO rice trial

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Farmers, consumer groups and environmental organizations in Malaysia are urging the National Biosafety Board to reject a proposed field trial of genetically modified rice. The coalition of 61 organizations has submitted a formal objection regarding the confined trial application by Zen Cropscience in northern Perak state.

The trial involves a genetically modified MR219 rice variety that is resistant to herbicide glyphosate and resistant to bacterial and fungal diseases. The coalition's main concerns include potential contamination of conventional and wild rice through cross-pollination, the economic risks to farmers from accidental contamination, and the development of herbicide-resistant "super weeds" due to genetic modification.

They also warn that glyphosate residues could enter the food supply, and that the genetic modification could affect the nutritional value and potential allergenicity of the rice. The coalition argues that Malaysia's biosafety law lacks sufficient legal protections for farmers and proposes using alternative methods for weed and disease management, such as robotic technology.