A group of peasants and scientists is calling on authorities for the immediate termination of field trials of the Golden Rice at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice) saying this might be the final phase of field testing before its commercialization next year. The Magsasaka at Siyentipiko pasa sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (Masipag), in a statement released to the media, said the Golden Rice is “genetically modified” as it is “artificially inserted” with genes from the bacteria Erwinia uredovora and corn so it can produce beta carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A. The Golden Rice, according to Masipag, is currently under field testing in Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija and Camarines Sur. Come 2013, it is targeted for commercial use.