Scientists say they have seen the future of genetically modified foods and have concluded that it is orange or, more precisely, golden. In a few months, golden rice — normal rice that has been genetically modified to provide vitamin A to counter blindness and other diseases in children in the developing world — will be given to farmers in the Philippines for planting in paddy fields.
Thirty years after scientists revealed they had created the world's first GM crop, hopes that their potential to ease global malnutrition problems may be realized at last. Bangladesh and Indonesia have said they are ready to accept golden rice in the wake of the Philippines' decision, and other nations, including India, have also said that they are considering planting it.
"Vitamin A deficiency is deadly," said Adrian Dubock, a member of the Golden Rice project. "It affects children's immune systems and kills around two million every year in developing countries. It is also a major cause of blindness in the Third World. Boosting levels of vitamin A in rice provides a simple straightforward way to put that right." Recent tests have revealed that a substantial amount of vitamin A can be obtained by eating only 60 grams of cooked golden rice. "This has enormous potential," said Dubock.