Golden Rice 

Golden Rice is a variety of rice produced through genetic engineering.

• It was created from its parental strain by transforming rice with the two beta-carotene biorym genes.
• psy (phytoene synthetase) from daffodil.
• Gtl (phytoene desaturase) from soil bacteria.
• The psy and crtl genes were transformed into the rising nuclear genome and placed under the control of an endosperm-specific promotor so that they are only impressed in the endosperm.
• In the endosperm of golden rice, the enzymes catalyze the biosynthesis of beta-carotene from geranylgeranyl diphosphate.
• In the presence of beta-carotene, the endosperm shows a golden-yellow color. Hence it is called golden rice.
• Beta-carotene is answered to be converted to retinal and subsequently retinal in the animal's gut.
• The first field trials of golden rice cultivators were conducted by the Ovisiana State University Agriculture Center in 1004. After that in the Philippines and Taiwan in 2015.
• In 2018 Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. approved golden rice for cultivation as food.
• It has been confirmed and formed to be an effective source of vitamin A for humans.

Let's do some work...

1. What is Golden Rice?

   a) Rice coated with gold

   b) A type of rice genetically modified to produce beta-carotene

   c) Rice grown in golden-colored fields

   d) Rice with a golden color due to special cultivation techniques

2. What nutrient does Golden Rice contain more of compared to regular rice?

   a) Protein

   b) Iron

   c) Vitamin C

   d) Beta-carotene

3. Why is Golden Rice genetically modified?

   a) To make it grow faster

   b) To make it resistant to pests

   c) To enhance its nutritional value

   d) To change its taste

4. Which vitamin is produced by Golden Rice that helps in improving eyesight?

   a) Vitamin A

   b) Vitamin D

   c) Vitamin B12

   d) Vitamin K

5. What problem does Golden Rice aim to address?

   a) Low crop yield

   b) Vitamin A deficiency

   c) Excessive pesticide use

   d) Soil erosion

6. How does Golden Rice get its name?

   a) Because it's expensive to buy

   b) Because it's grown in golden fields

   c) Because of its golden color due to beta-carotene

   d) Because it tastes like gold

7. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of Golden Rice?

   a) Improved eyesight

   b) Increased income for farmers

   c) Reduced vitamin A deficiency

   d) Enhanced taste

8. Who developed Golden Rice?

   a) Japanese scientists

   b) Chinese farmers

   c) Indian researchers

   d) International group of scientists

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Ethnobotany | What is Ethnobotany

Golden rice is a special kind of rice that has a golden color. It's not just any rice; it's rice that has been genetically modified to contain beta-carotene, which is a source of vitamin A. This makes it unique and valuable because it can help fight vitamin A deficiency, which is a big problem in many parts of the world.

One of the main characteristics of golden rice is its color. Regular rice is white, but golden rice is, well, golden! This color comes from the beta-carotene that's been added to it through genetic modification. Beta-carotene is what gives fruits and vegetables like carrots their orange color, and it's also what our bodies use to make vitamin A.

Vitamin A is really important for our bodies. It helps us keep our eyesight sharp, boosts our immune system so we can fight off sickness, and even helps our skin stay healthy. But some people, especially in developing countries where they don't have access to a variety of foods, don't get enough vitamin A in their diets. This can lead to serious health problems, like blindness and even death.

That's where golden rice comes in. By adding beta-carotene to rice, scientists have made it possible for people to get more vitamin A just by eating the rice they already eat every day. This could be a game-changer for communities where vitamin A deficiency is a big issue.

Another characteristic of golden rice is that it's been genetically modified. This means that scientists have changed its DNA in a laboratory to give it the ability to produce beta-carotene. Some people might be worried about eating genetically modified foods, but many scientists say that golden rice is safe to eat and could have a big impact on public health.

Golden rice is also special because it's a type of "biofortified" food. Biofortification is a way of increasing the nutritional value of crops by breeding or genetically modifying them to contain more essential vitamins and minerals. This can be really helpful in areas where people don't have access to a diverse range of foods or where nutrient deficiencies are common.

In addition to its health benefits, golden rice is also designed to be grown in the same way as regular rice. Farmers can plant golden rice seeds in their fields and grow it just like they would any other crop. This means that introducing golden rice into farming systems wouldn't require a lot of changes or extra work for farmers, which could make it easier for them to adopt.

Overall, golden rice has the potential to make a big difference in the fight against vitamin A deficiency. Its unique characteristics, including its golden color, genetic modification, and biofortification, make it a promising solution for improving public health, especially in communities where access to nutritious foods is limited.

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