Question

What is the biological significance of golden rice production?

Answer 1

Golden rice is a genetically modified crop which was introduced to cope with the Vitamin A deficiency prevalent in the developing countries.

Complete answer:
Golden rice is a genetically modified, biofortified crop. Biofortification increases the nutritional value in the crop. Golden rice is genetically modified to biosynthesize beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A, which is not produced normally in rice. The human body converts beta carotene to Vitamin A during metabolism. Vitamin A is very essential for a functional immune system, healthier skin and clear vision.
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is prevalent in developing countries where diet depends mostly on micronutrient sources of energy such as rice lacking vitamin A. Golden rice was developed to cure Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in the developing countries. VAD has numerous negative health effects such as dryness of the eye that may lead to blindness if left untreated; reduced immune response and an increase in the mortality rate due to infections. The World Health Organisation estimates about 2.7 million children die due to vitamin A deficiency. This mortality rate can be reduced by providing golden rice at the same rate as that of common rice.

Additional information:
Rice is a staple food crop for half of the world population and contributes in the energy intake of most of the people in Asian countries. Hence, it was an apt crop for targeting vitamin deficiencies. The golden rice project was initiated by Ingo Potrykus and Peter Beyer in the year 1999. They decided to genetically modify rice to increase its nutritional value.

Note:
Although the Golden rice Project was approved by a Humanitarian Board and abides all national and international regulations it is still opposed in many developing countries.