What does GM have to do with Golden Rice?

Golden rice is a genetically modified, biofortified crop. Biofortification increases the nutritional value in crops. Golden rice is genetically modified in order to produce beta carotene, which is not normally produced in rice. Beta carotene is convereted into Vitamin A when metabolized by the human body.

Why was Golden Rice banned?

This followed a 2016 decision where the FDA had ruled that the beta-carotene content in golden rice did not provide sufficient amounts of vitamin A for US markets.

Why did Greenpeace oppose Golden Rice?

A variety of environmental and public safety groups and activists oppose Golden Rice because it is genetically modified. Greenpeace has been especially vocal in its opposition to Golden Rice, issuing reports, organizing protests, and working to sow public doubt and fear in developing and developed countries.

Why was β carotene inserted into GM Golden Rice?

Golden Rice: The Imperiled Birth of a GMO Superfood Golden Rice, which was developed in the hopes of combatting that problem by a team of European scientists in the late ’90s, was genetically modified to provide an essential nutrient that white rice lacks: beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body.

Who is the Greenpeace scientist for golden rice?

Wilhelmina Pelegrina of Greenpeace Southeast Asia Golden Rice defended the non profit, firing back in a statement on June 30, stating, “Accusations that anyone is blocking genetically engineered ‘Golden’ rice are false.” She then shifted the blame, claiming:

Who is the manager of the Golden Rice Project?

GMO opponents have not been the problem.” Stone and Glover, both long-time skeptics of the benefits of crop biotechnology, cite in their journal article research by Adrian Dubock, who has served as the project manager for the Golden Rice project since 2008 and is the executive secretary of the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board since 2010.

Why was golden rice not made available to the public?

In this way, they modified the rice genes so that the plants started to make beta-carotene, a rich orange-coloured pigment that is also a key precursor chemical used by the body to make vitamin A. Golden Rice has not been made available to those for whom it was intended in the 20 years since it was created.

Which is the most advanced version of golden rice?

In 2014, IRRI reported that field trials revealed the most advanced version of Golden Rice at that time, GR2R, showed a lower yield compared to its conventional equivalent.