Golden rice is a genetically modified rice which is rich in vitamin A. The idea of the golden rice programs was annouced in 2000 along with its details. It was led by Ingo Potrykus of the Swiss Federal Institue of Technology and Peter Beyer of the University of Freidburg. When it was first annouced in 2000 it was considered a breakthrough as it was able to help cure diseases such as Vitamin A deficiency that killed thousands of children under the age of 5.
Golden Rice is made by GMO, it is according to Wikipedia produced through genetic engineering to biosynthesized beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, in the edible parts of rice. These genetics are conducted on wild rice which will then become the golden rice.
After 5 years of research, Golden Rice 2 was annouced, it was much better than the original golden rice as produces up to 23 times more beta carotene than the first golden rice. Golden rice poses no threat to humans as it had no negative side effects. Studies shown that in the areas where golden rice is used, it shows no threat to any of the individuals who consumed golden rice.
The main problem that the golden rice is made to solve is for the golden rice project is to battle Vitamin A deficiency that has killed thousands of children and millions of people around the world. If the golden rice was accepted as a source of food by society, it will first be sent of to rural and place that suffer poverty and food scarcity. The golden rice will not differ very much than the standard white rice as it's creation is from a white rice plant. Although the genetic structure of the golden rice and the white rice differs, it isn't so different as it will still be used as a main source of carbohydrate in most countries like the white rice.
The golden rice's publicity increased ever since it had became one of the seven winners of the 2015 Patents of Humanity Awards. Although the golden rice project means well and it only wants a better future for countries and areas that suffer Vitamin A deficiency, Some 'Anti Globalization' and 'Enviromentalist' supporters has protested the creation of the golden rice and the continue production of the golden rice. It had even went as far as a group of activist that destroyed and burned a golden rice crop in Philippines.
Some Problems that golden rice will be aimed at by the golden rice is Vitamin A deficiency, poverty and food scarcity. Solutions that the golden rice will bring if accepted by society is that people will no longer need to find different sources for Vitamin A since now the golden rice will be able to support that. People will not longer need to find white rice and another source for the Vitamin A, but now people will just need to consume the golden rice.
To end this post, the golden rice is a beneficial crop that's main goal is to battle diseases that involve the lack of vitamin A.
Sources:
1. Attack on crops in Philippines: http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/08/26/golden_rice_attack_in_philippines_anti_gmo_activists_lie_about_protest_and.html
2.Golden Rice Website: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/agriculture/problem/Greenpeace-and-Golden-Rice/
3.Wikipedia about Golden Rice: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_rice
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