Question

Research the Genetically modified food Golden Rice." List several pros and cons for the use of this rice. Research at least one other GMO and discuss it in your reflection

Answer 1

Golden rice was made by transformation og rice with 2 beta-carotene biosynthesis genes:

• psy (phytoene synthase) from Narcissus pseudonarcissus
• crtI (phytoene desaturase) from Erwinia uredovora

The psy and crtI genes got transferred in the rice's nuclear genome and then were placed under the control of an endosperm-specific promoter thus they are expressed only in the endosperm. This exogenous lcy gene contain a peptide sequence and thus gets targeted to plastid in which there isranylgeranyl diphosphate formation. The crtI gene is a major inclusion that complete pathway beause it catalyze multiple steps in the synthesis of carotenoids uptill lycopene as  these steps need more than one enzyme in plants.Final product of the pathway is lycopene, if the plant accumulated lycopene then the resulting rice would be red. By latest analysis it has been shown that the plant's endogenous enzymes process the lycopene to beta-carotene in the endosperm thus giving rice variety the distinctive yellow color for which it is named.The original golden rice was called SGR1, and under greenhouse conditions it produced 1.6 µg/g of carotenoids.

Research on golden rice was done to help children suffering from vitamin A deficiency

As a major percentage of children with VAD affected countries rely on rice genetic modification of rice that produce the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene was an easy \and less expensive alternative to ongoing vitamin supplements or an increase in the consumption of green vegetables or animal products. Initial analyses of the potential nutritional benefits of golden rice suggested consumption of golden rice would not eliminate the problems of vitamin A deficiency, but could complement other supplementation.

Cons of gold rice:

1. Beta carotene levels are not high enough to make an impact
2. It can cross breed and thus contaminate wild rice
3. seed for GM plants can be expensive
4. New seeds are needed each time it is grown

Pros of goldrice:

1. The that is added gene produces beta carotene which is important for maintaining health.
2. Beta carotene is needed to produce vitamin A that helps with eyesight
3. It can be used in areas where vitamin A deficiency is common and helps to prevent blindness.

During the period 1960 to 2000 wheat production increased 11 million tones to 75 million tones and rice rice production went upto 89.5 million tonnes because of semi dwarf varieties of wheat and rice. Nobel laureate Norman E. Borlaugat internation center for wheat and mazie improvement in Mexico developed semi dwarf wheat. In 1963 several varieties like Sonalika and Kalyan Sona which were high yielding and disease resistant were introduced all over the wheat growing belt of India. Semi dwarf rice varieties were derived from IR-8 and Taichung native - 1. The derivatives were introduced in 1966.Later better yielding semi dwarf varieties Jaya and Ratna were developed in India.

Saccharum barberi was originally grown in North India but had poor sugar content and yield.Tropical canes grown in south India Saccharum officinarum had thicker stems and high sugar content but did not grow well in north India. These two species were crosses successfully to get sugar cane varities combinig the desirable qualities of the two .