Golden Rice
A lack of vitamin A is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in developing countries. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) can negatively affect growth and development, cause blindness, interfere with the growth of epithelial cells, and suppress the immune system. Vitamin A can be synthesized from the β-carotene found in green leafy vegetables and yellow fruits or vegetables, and it can be obtained from certain animal products (liver, egg yolk, etc).
Rice is a staple food in many developing regions of the world. Unfortunately, it contains no β-carotene in its milled grain, and is therefore not a source of vitamin A. Rice can be genetically engineered to boost its nutritional content. It is possible to transfer the genes for β-carotene from a plant that produces it into rice DNA. Th e resulting rice, dubbed “Golden Rice” (GR) because of its yellowish tinge, can provide a key nutrient in the diet of those who eat it. In 1999 when Golden Rice was first created, it was hailed as the solution to world malnutrition, at the vanguard of a food revolution. Years later, it is still only a promise. Why have developing nations been slow to adopt this technology? Is it a worthwhile endeavor? We will hold an intimate debate on the merits of Golden Rice to tease out the issues surrounding its use
Instructions
A lack of vitamin A is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in developing countries. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) can negatively affect growth and development, cause blindness, interfere with the growth of epithelial cells, and suppress the immune system. Vitamin A can be synthesized from the β-carotene found in green leafy vegetables and yellow fruits or vegetables, and it can be obtained from certain animal products (liver, egg yolk, etc).
Rice is a staple food in many developing regions of the world. Unfortunately, it contains no β-carotene in its milled grain, and is therefore not a source of vitamin A. Rice can be genetically engineered to boost its nutritional content. It is possible to transfer the genes for β-carotene from a plant that produces it into rice DNA. Th e resulting rice, dubbed “Golden Rice” (GR) because of its yellowish tinge, can provide a key nutrient in the diet of those who eat it. In 1999 when Golden Rice was first created, it was hailed as the solution to world malnutrition, at the vanguard of a food revolution. Years later, it is still only a promise. Why have developing nations been slow to adopt this technology? Is it a worthwhile endeavor? We will hold an intimate debate on the merits of Golden Rice to tease out the issues surrounding its use
- VAD is the primary cause of childhood blindness worldwide and is now recognized as a major contributing factor in an estimated 1 million–3 million child deaths each year.
- Rice is a staple food in many developing regions. For example, in Bangladesh nearly 80% of calorie intake comes from rice
- Th e most recent calculations for India show that, in a scenario of widespread adoption and full government support, GR could reduce the number of VAD children by more than half
- Th e patent laws governing the use of GR fall under a Humanitarian License. Accordingly, farmers earning less than USD $10,000 per year may use GR free of charge. Farmers may also keep seeds from each harvest and sow them the following season.
- Th e GR trait can be introduced into any local variety making it easy to preserve the cultivation of traditional varieties with added value. This will adapt Golden Rice to local growth conditions, and will prevent the spread of monocultures.
- Some populations may have limited-access to vitamin A-rich foods. Many families in poor countries cannot aff ord to buy a varied diet. Many of the fruits and vegetables that could provide vitamin A do not grow in the area, or are perishable, or they are only available seasonally. Meat products may also be difficult to obtain.
- “Provitamin A [β-carotene] is normally produced in the green tissues of every plant and converted to vitamin A in the human body. Nobody has been able to come up with a scenario whereby the provitamin A-enriched grains of GR could pose a menace to the environment or to human health.
- Extensive evidence from widespread production and consumption of GM plants—more than 90 million hectares planted in 2005—indicates that no specifi c harm emanates from transgenic crops, while clear life-threatening conditions arise from the lack of micronutrients
Instructions
- Get informed on your assigned topic. Using the given information and your own additional research, complete the chart below to organize your arguments (This will be turned in) (15 minutes)
- Convince others of your argument. Give a brief opening statement that explains your stance to the audience (3 minutes)
- After hearing all the arguments, decide if you are pro GMO or against GMO. Everyone will choose a side and participate in the debate!