Genetic Modified Rice

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Genetic Modified Rice

Introduction

Rice is most demanded food in of Asia. For thousands of years, farmers have been cultivating rice. Actual plant breeders are still trying to improve the ability of rice to defend itself against diseases. Every day, genetic engineering is being used to achieve breeding objectives.

“Rice, maize, and wheat are the world's most important crops. Rice makes up the main food source for almost half of the world's population”

http://www.gmocompass.org/eng/grocery_shopping/crops/24.genetically_modified_rice.html

Genetically modified rice is now on its way to fields in some countries in which it has been legalized. Supporters of golden rice say it can save lives, while critics say it is little more than businesses looking for profit in developing markets.

The solution I am going to investigate is if GM golden rice safes lives and prevents world hunger as “normal” rice does not contain provitamin A. Vitamin A is not produced naturally in “normal” rice that is one of the reasons why 250 million children worldwide have a deficit in this vital vitamin. Vitamin A is not only important for vision, but also for resistance to diseases. Each year, up to 500,000 of these poor kids go blind. Even more kids die of infections because they do not get enough of the vitamin in their diet.

“This is called "hidden hunger" - enough calories, but not enough vitamins.”

http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/technology/article/1043206/golden-rice-can-end-world-hunger

GM Golden rice (How it works)

Golden Rice is the result of genetic engineering; it offers a partial solution to a global problem, world hunger. The labor consists of introducing the necessary enzymes to enable the rice grains to process pre...

... middle of paper ...

...at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_rice. [Accessed 15 May 2014].

AgBioForum 10(3): Crop Case Study: GMO Golden Rice in Asia with Enhanced Vitamin A Benefits for Consumers . 2014. AgBioForum 10(3): Crop Case Study: GMO Golden Rice in Asia with Enhanced Vitamin A Benefits for Consumers . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.agbioforum.org/v10n3/v10n3a04-unnevehr.htm. [Accessed 19 May 2014].

GRAIN — Grains of delusion: Golden rice seen from the ground. 2014.GRAIN — Grains of delusion: Golden rice seen from the ground. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.grain.org/article/entries/10-grains-of-delusion-golden-rice-seen-from-the-ground. [Accessed 19 May 2014].

. 2014. . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/publications/agriculture/2013/458%20-%20Golden%20Illusion-GE-goldenrice.pdf. [Accessed 19 May 2014].

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