Golden Rice

30.05.2024

Golden Rice

Why in the news?                        

         Recently, a court in the Philippines recently revoked biosafety permits for commercial propagation of genetically modified golden rice and Bt eggplant.

About Golden Rice:

• It is a new type of rice that contains beta carotene (provitamin A, a plant pigment that the body converts into vitamin A as needed). This compound is what gives this grain its yellow-orange or golden color.
• It is developed through genetic engineering.
• While ordinary rice does produce beta carotene, it is not found in the grain. Thus, scientists used genetic engineering to add the compound to the grain - a minor tweak that improved the grain’s nutritive value.

○The beta carotene in Golden Rice, which was made possible by the addition of two new enzymes, is identical to the beta-carotene found in green leafy and yellow-colored vegetables, orange-colored fruit, and even in many vitamin supplements and food ingredients.

• Like ordinary rice, Golden Rice does not require any special cultivation practices, and generally has the same yield and agronomic performance.
• This rice is expected to cost and taste the same as regular rice, its beta carotene content makes it a valuable asset in the battle against Vitamin A deficiency (VAD).

○Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient for growth, development, and keeping the body’s visual and immune systems healthy.

○VAD weakens the body’s resistance to diseases and infections, causes blindness, and may even result in death if left untreated.

                                                                Source: Down to earth

Ques :- Consider the following statements with reference to the Golden Rice:

Statement-I

It contains beta carotene which gives golden color to this grain.

Statement-II

It requires special cultivation practices for greater yield.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer C