In the Philippines, researchers have developed GM bananas and papayas with resistance to damaging viruses; papayas and mangoes with delayed ripening; pest-resistant (Bt) corn, and coconut with high lauric acid content. A GM rice with resistance to bacterial blight is awaiting release, despite opposition. Some local farmers and environmental groups fear that because several strains of the pathogen are resistant to the gene used in the blight resistant variety, resistance could spread to other strains of the bacteria and eventually endanger the entire rice crop.

Scientists at the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute played a role in the invention of "golden rice," a GM variety engineered to produce beta-carotene. The rice is designed to reduce the deadly vitamin A deficiency suffered by millions of Asian children. The crop is still undergoing tests and is not likely to be released before 2003.

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