- Golden Rice is a new type of rice that contains beta-carotene (provitamin A), which is converted into vitamin A as needed by the body and gives the grain its golden color.
- It is developed through genetic engineering and produces two new enzymes that complete the beta-carotene expression in the rice grain.
- Research has indicated that one cup of Golden Rice can provide up to 50% of the daily requirement of an adult for vitamin A.
- But presently, it has a low shelf life of not more than 3 months as it may lose its nutrients after that.
- Golden Rice can be grown just like ordinary rice and varieties containing the GR2E Golden Rice trait have the same yield and agronomic performance as their conventional counterparts.
- It is intended to complement current strategies in the fight against vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and is intended to supply up to 30-50 percent of the estimated average requirement for vitamin A for preschool age children and pregnant or lactating mothers.
Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD)
- Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is good for healthy vision, skin, bones and other tissues in the body.
- Source: There are two types of vitamin A.
- Preformed vitamin A, also called retinol, is found in animal products. Good sources are fortified milk, eggs, meat, cheese, liver, halibut fish oil, cream and kidneys.
- Pro-vitamin A is found in plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables. The most common type of pro-vitamin A is beta-carotene, a carotenoid that produces dark pigments in plant foods.
- As vitamin A affects a wide range of body functions, a deficiency can lead to a variety of problems. These include:
- night blindness
- a higher risk of infections, especially in the throat, chest, and abdomen
- follicular hyperkeratosis, leading to dry, bumpy skin.
- fertility issues
- delayed growth in children
Background:
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
- IRRI is an independent, non-profit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations with support from the Philippine government.
- The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa.
- It is the world’s premier research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations.
