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href="http://www.bworld.com.ph/">BusinessWorld</A>, the Philippines' leading
business newspaper, has an <A
href="http://www.bworld.com.ph/current/TopStories/topstory8.html">article</A> 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). <BR>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.</DIV></BODY></HTML>