Malaysian groups urge rejection of GMO rice field trial
Malaysian farmers and environmental groups have formally objected to a proposed GMO rice field trial, citing contamination risks and glyphosate concerns.
A coalition of 61 farmers, consumer associations and environmental groups in Malaysia has formally urged the National Biosafety Board to reject a proposed confined field trial of genetically modified rice. The objection was submitted during a public consultation that closed last week.
The application, filed by Zen Cropscience, seeks approval for a trial in northern Perak state involving a genetically modified version of the MR219 rice variety. The modified crop is designed to tolerate the herbicide glyphosate and resist bacterial and fungal diseases.
The coalition said the proposal is similar to a 2019 application for a trial in Perlis state that was later abandoned. Their renewed objections centre on the risk of genetically modified material contaminating conventional and wild rice through cross-pollination. They argue that Malaysia's biosafety law lacks adequate legal protection and compensation mechanisms for farmers who might suffer economic losses from accidental contamination.
Farmers also expressed concern that the modification could encourage greater glyphosate use, potentially leading to herbicide-resistant "super weeds" and higher herbicide application rates. The coalition warned that glyphosate residues could remain in harvested rice and enter the food supply. The integration of a gene for fungal resistance also raised food safety concerns, with the groups citing potential changes to nutritional values or increased allergen and toxin levels.
Abdul Rashid Yob, who heads a farmers association representing 200,000 members nationwide, pointed to past problems with herbicide-tolerant Clearfield rice. He said that while production initially improved, weeds quickly developed resistance, forcing farmers to use higher herbicide doses, which raised costs and degraded soil fertility. "GM rice will be much worse. It is not the answer," he said.
Malaysia's domestic rice production meets only about half of national consumption needs, with the rest imported, according to official data.
The National Biosafety Board has stated the proposed trial would be conducted in an insect-proof net house on industrial land, away from agricultural areas. It has said the risk of cross-pollination is low but acknowledged that toxicological data for the GMO rice has not been ascertained. A final decision timeline has not been announced.
Despite the trial being confined rather than commercial, the coalition said the research should be cancelled because GMOs cannot be fully controlled once released. "There is no need for such a trial. We don't want GM crops," said Mageswari Sangaralingam of the Consumers Association of Penang.
The groups suggested alternatives to GM crops, including robotic technology from Japan that could remove weeds quickly.
Glyphosate has been classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans" by the World Health Organization's cancer research agency since 2015, based on limited human evidence and sufficient animal study evidence. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said glyphosate is "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans," and the European Food Safety Authority found no critical areas of concern in its 2023 review.