GOLDEN RICE

WHAT IS GOLDEN RICE?

- Golden rice 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 was conceived by Emeritus Professor Ingo Potrykus of the Swiss Federal

Institute of Technology and Prof. Peter Beyer of University of Freiburg in year
1982.

- Though GMO golden rice is approved by the US, Canadian and Australian
authorities, the Philippines is the first country to approve its commercial farming.
In July 2021, the government issued a biosafety permit, officially declaring the
golden rice as safety as ordinary rice.
BEFORE AND AFTER OF
THE GMO
 CHANGES IT WENT
(GENETICALLY AND PHYSICALLY)

•First, B-carotene biosynthesis genes are obtained from a maize cell and a bacterium.
•Then B-carotene biosynthesis genes are cut using a restriction enzyme.
•Meanwhile, a plasmid is obtained from a bacterium called agrobacterium. The plasmid
is cut using the same restriction enzyme.
•The unpaired bases in the sticky ends of the plasmid are complementary to those in the
sticky ends of the B-carotene biosynthesis genes.
•With the help of DNA ligase, the B-carotene biosynthesis genes are inserted into the
open plasmid. A recombinant plasmid is formed, it is then mixed with chemically
treated agrobacterium. The transformed agrobacterium is allowed to infect a rice
embryo.
 CHANGES IT WENT
(GENETICALLY AND PHYSICALLY)

•During infection, the B-carotene biosynthesis genes are integrated into the DNA of the rice
embryo.
•The infected embryo is then put into a sterile culture medium containing all nutrients
necessary for growth.
•The embryo divides by mitotic cell division to form a mass of undifferentiated cells called
callus.
•Finally, cells of the callus are transferred together with the hormones. The hormones
promote the growth of roots and shoots. The cells differentiate into different type of cells
and plantlets are formed.
•The plantlets are then planted in soil for further development. They develop into adult
plants which are now called Golden rice.
 IS IT MORE
BENEFICIAL?
 IS IT MORE BENEFICIAL AFTER GENETIC MODIFICATION? IF YES,
HOW? OF NO, WHY?

•The International Rice Research Institute has shown that Golden Rice is safe for human
consumption. Specifically, they have demonstrated that beta-carotene in food is a safe source
of vitamin A. It is beneficial because the intention of boosting beta-carotene in Golden Rice
is to help combat severe vitamin A deficiency in the developing world.

•Vitamin A deficiency causes blindness in a quarter of a million to half a million children each
year, mostly in Asia and Africa. It also weakens the immune system and it is estimated that
around two million die each year of diseases they would otherwise survive.

•In particular, vitamin A deficiency is estimated to kill 670,000 children under the age of 5

each year, and this golden rice serves as the golden opportunity to address that problem.