Golden Rice

Golden Rice

Golden Rice is considered to be a variety of rice that is produced by genetic engineering to biosynthesize beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is known to be a precursor of Vitamin A. Golden rice is known to be rich in Vitamin A. In case an individual is suffering through deficiency of Vitamin A, he can experience a wide range of eye conditions such as night blindness, corneal scars, keratomalacia as well as permanent blindness. Also, vitamin A tends to increase the risk of mortality from measles as well as diarrhoea in children. The prevalence of deficiency is known to be the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa along with South Asia in 2013. However, golden rice has faced opposition from environmental as well as anti-globalisation activists. Still, over 100 Nobel laureates motivated individuals to utilise modified golden rice. The modified golden rice is capable of producing upto 23 times of beta-carotene and compared to the authentic golden rice. 

Historical background of golden rice 

In 1982, research for the growth of golden rice started as a Rockfeller foundation initiative.  

Peter Bramley is known to discover a single phytoene desaturase gene in the 1990s. This gene can be utilised to create lycopene. Further, lycopene is cyclized into beta-carotene through the endogenous cyclase in the golden rice. In 2000, the first scientific information about golden rice was introduced. 

The Louisiana State University Agricultural centre is considered to conduct the first field trials of the golden rice in 2014. In 2015, extra trials took place in the Philippines along with Taiwan and Bangladesh. With the help of field tests, accurate details can be found out regarding the nutritional value of the product. The results from the field test displayed that golden rice that is grown in the field consists of 4 to 5 times more beta-carotene as compared to the golden rice produced under the conditions related to greenhouse. 

Golden Rice is rich in Vitamin A

Golden Rice is known to increase the amount of vitamin A in the human body. Vitamin A deficiency has become very common in today’s time. The deficiency of Vitamin A leads to night blindness or even premature death. Golden rice is known to be a precursor of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is not considered to be toxic. However, if consumed in higher quantities, then it may be harmful for the body. The human body tends to convert beta-carotene into Vitamin A. Therefore, golden rice helps to increase the amount of vitamin A and eliminates the risk associated with the deficiency of Vitamin A. 

Conclusion 

Golden Rice is considered to be a variety of rice that is produced by genetic engineering to biosynthesize beta-carotene. Golden rice is known to be rich in Vitamin A. In case an individual is suffering through deficiency of Vitamin A, he can experience a wide range of eye conditions such as night blindness, corneal scars, keratomalacia as well as permanent blindness. Also, vitamin A tends to increase the risk of mortality from measles as well as diarrhoea in children. In 1982, research for the growth of golden rice started as a Rockfeller foundation initiative. The Louisiana State University Agricultural centre is considered to conduct the first field trials of the golden rice in 2014. In 2015, extra trials took place in the Philippines along with Taiwan and Bangladesh. 

With the help of field tests, accurate details can be found out regarding the nutritional value of the product. Golden Rice is known to increase the amount of vitamin A in the human body. Vitamin A deficiency has become very common in today’s time. The deficiency of Vitamin A leads to night blindness or even premature death. Golden rice is known to be a precursor of beta-carotene. Golden rice is considered to be of almost the same price as of white rice. The major reason behind this is that the farmers grow it along with other varieties of rice. Therefore, no extra production cost is involved.