Thursday, 3 April 2014

Golden Rice - Genetic Engineering


Genetic Engineering Technology - Golden Rice

           Golden rice is the key to overcome the deficiency of vitamin A due to its potentials toward bringing changes in human bodies. Golden rice is produced through a scientific mutation called genetic engineering (A physical process in which a gene from an organism is removed and added in another organism to observe how that particular trait is expressed in that organism). Actually, golden rice is mainly generated to complete the deficiency of vitamin A in the parts of world where sources of vitamin A are not very favourable. The invention of golden rice is originated from a type of rice called Oryza sativa, which is not very difficult to mutate into other forms of rice through genetic engineering. The main goal of scientists were to produce golden rice to cover the shortage of beta – carotene (fundamental of vitamin A), i.e. it is type of pigment, usually in red or orange colour. In the creation of this rice, there were two genes involved to perform the transformation of an ordinary Oryza sativa, which were called phytoene synthase (psy) and carotene desaturase (crtl). Plants are able to produce these pigments (Beta carotene) on their own located at the part of their leaves, where the process of photosynthesis takes place, but the correct location is at the endosperm (food storage). The plant component of rice cannot be eaten to get the possible vitamin. The mechanism is actually inactivated in parts of grains, which is the component that can be consumed by humans. Thus, these plants need an external help to get transformed or start containing to provide high levels of beta – carotene. In the further research and laboratory tests, scientists find out that the golden rice favors the bioavailability of vitamin A under natural conditions (grown in fields), rather than cultivated in the atmosphere of greenhouse gases. There was an interesting experiment conducted by a group of scientists as they decided to enhance the effects of golden rice by conducting a similar gene implant as in the creation of golden rice 2. They collaborated (psy) and (crtl) genes, which came from maize and the original golden rice. This gene implant brought significant increase in the levels of beta – carotene, approximately including 23 times extra vitamin A than the original golden rice was obtained from it, after testing. It is one of the main source to decrease the chances of getting the deficiency of vitamin A as there are hundreds of complications related to this disease. Around the globe, there are millions of people who are diagnosed with the deficiency of vitamin A and suffer from permanent eye – blindness, night blindness, degradation of immune functioning, and even death in severe cases. Thus, there have been a lot discussion on this serious issue and many campaigns have been formed to tackle against this preventable disorder.


      This technology has many considerable benefits, not only toward undeveloped countries, but also to bring relief in developed countries as well. Golden rice has been showing great results in the areas of world where only rice is mainly consumed as food. People living in these areas are much likely to have a deficiency of vitamin A as do they not have enough sources to compensate the necessary intake of vitamin A. Since, scientists have upgraded Golden rice (Golden Rice 2) into a more effective supplement to enhance its outcome, people in rural areas are encouraged to grow golden rice, so that their dependency on ordinary rice could be transformed into an intake of healthy supplements. Some of the statistics also state that an average diet of golden rice is better than any of naturally beta – carotene vegetables.

      Some of the drawbacks of this technology are that when the golden rice is artificially produced, it is composed of various toxins to resists itself from pests. These toxins are successful in terms to protecting the rice from pests, however, it contaminates the rice itself and leaks into the soil beneath it, causing high levels of acid in soil and destroy healthy soil microbes for plant growth. One of the other cons is that golden rice’s pollens have the capability of moving for a long distance and it could pollinate other wild plants (same type) as their further generations would fall under this contamination as well. Apart from plants, over dosage of golden could cause increase in the levels of vitamin A, which would result to hypervitaminosis A.


           Beside some physical issues of golden rice, it has to be considered ethically as well. Some people might refuse to consume this type of rice as it genetically transformed with different genes from wild plants and from a bacteria found in soil. People might get negative health conditions due to the intake of this rice and might not recover properly. Since, this technology has not been tested (applied) on animals, it not safe for humans to considerate eating the golden rice. The use of golden rice is also supporting the genetic alterations to normal organisms, which is banned and could be misused.

            In my opinion golden rice should be encouraged in all parts of the world because people who are only dependent on rice would get their appropriate consumption and others would be helped too. Some organisations like Green Peace opposes this campaign due to some unrealistic reasons, thus, they are protesting against this act. However, according to statistics, golden rice has shown incredible results, especially in Asian countries where malnutrition is higher. Therefore, golden rice must be compulsory to be grown around the world, so that millions of people suffering from it could survive and live a healthy life. (Should it be authorised to conduct genetic modifications by inserting genes from various unknown sources in plants to overcome some sort of deficiency or disease?)











 





































               


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