[extropy-chat] Scientists harness rice gene in battle against poverty

Giu1i0 Pri5c0 gpmap at runbox.com
Mon Dec 1 05:18:45 UTC 2003


BusinessWorld, the Philippines' leading business newspaper, has an article
on designer rice that scientists say could save the human race, but which
some fear is a potential monster. The idea that nutrient-rich, yellow-tinged
golden rice seeds are the culinary equivalent of the Frankenstein monster
doesn't make any sense. So far, no GMO [genetically modified organism]
produced and released to the farmer has caused any risk or any adverse
effect that's known to us. These are the opinions of biotechnologists and
managers at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
A 10-year coordinated effort by IRRI, the private sector and a number of
national scientific institutions has led to "golden rice," where three genes
are manipulated to make them produce beta carotene, niacin, iron and other
essential minerals in the seed. This and other GMOs will be available to
ordinary Asian farmers and consumers in three or four years once governments
adopt national biosafety guidelines. It could have "tremendous impact" on
nutrition for Asians, who eat steamed rice at least twice a day.
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