Pascua, Neizelle Grace P.

BSN 1-YA-40
Golden Rice
Golden Rice, a special plant made in a lab to fix vitamin A problems in poor countries, has made
some people excited and some worried. People who like it say it can stop blindness and hunger,
but others are concerned about safety and the environment. This study wants to check out all the
things that might happen with Golden Rice – how it helps with nutrition, what issues it might bring,
the rules around it, and how it affects communities. Golden Rice is changed to make a vitamin
called beta-carotene, which turns into vitamin A. In places where not enough people get vitamin
A, this rice could make their food healthier and prevent problems caused by not having enough
vitamins. Many studies show that Golden Rice can really help with this. Even though Golden Rice
seems good, some people are not sure if it's safe to eat. This study wants to look at these worries
and make sure that Golden Rice is safe and does what it's supposed to do. Making and using Golden
Rice has some rules to follow. Besides the science stuff, introducing Golden Rice can change how
people live and work. This study also wants to see how communities feel about it, if they can get
it easily, and if they like using it.

People in the Philippines are really interested in Golden Rice because it might help with a big
health problem there - not getting enough vitamin A. The Golden Rice project, started by the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) along with different groups, wants to bring in this
special kind of rice that's changed in a lab to fight malnutrition. Since a lot of people in the
Philippines eat a bunch of rice, they're trying out Golden Rice there. They're doing tests in fields
to see if it works well in the Philippines, if it's safe to eat, and if it really helps with not having
enough vitamin A. Scientists working on the project are teaming up with local communities,
farmers, and the government to make sure Golden Rice fits in well with how things are done. But
bringing in Golden Rice has also caused talks and debates about safety, rules, and if people are
okay with it.

Making and using Golden Rice involves dealing with complicated rules. It's important to
understand and follow these rules to use Golden Rice the right way and make sure it doesn't cause
problems for nature or people. The environmental impact of growing Golden Rice is important to
look at. This includes things like how the genes might spread to other plants, resistance to
pesticides, and unintended effects on other living things. We must carefully study these factors to
figure out if growing Golden Rice is good for the environment in the long run. Looking at how
growing Golden Rice affects the environment is important. We really need to study these factors
well to understand if growing Golden Rice is good for the environment over time. Besides the
science and nature stuff, bringing in Golden Rice can change how people live and work. This study
also wants to see how communities feel about it, if they can get it easily, and if they like using it.
Talking to the people who grow food, make rules, and eat the rice is important to make sure Golden
Rice helps the right way.

In conclusion, the impacts of Golden Rice, as a GMO, extend across nutritional, safety,
environmental, regulatory, and societal dimensions. While it holds the promise of addressing
vitamin A deficiency, ongoing scrutiny and open dialogue are essential to navigate the
complexities and controversies associated with the use of genetically modified organisms in
agriculture. Golden Rice seems like it could be a good thing to help with vitamin A problems. But
we need to look at all sides – how it helps with food, if it might be a problem, the rules for using
it, and what people think about it. Working together and listening to everyone will help us use
Golden Rice in a way that helps people and doesn't cause any harm.

References:

The Golden Rice Project. (https://www.goldenrice.org/)

Stein, A. J., Sachdev, H. P. S., & Qaim, M. (2008). Genetic engineering for the poor: Golden rice
and public health in India. World Development, 36(1), 144–158.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2007.02.013

Paine, J. A., Shipton, C. A., Chaggar, S., Howells, R., Kennedy, M. J., Vernon, G., Wright, S. Y.,
Hinchliffe, E., Adams, J., Silverstone, A. L., & Drake, R. (2005). Improving the nutritional value
of Golden Rice through increased pro-vitamin A content. Nature Biotechnology, 23(4), 482–487.
https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt1082