biofortification

Question

Golden rice is engineered to provide increased levels of which nutrient precursor?

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

1. **Objective**: Biofortification involves breeding crops to increase their nutritional value.
2. **Engineering**: Golden Rice is a variety of *Oryza sativa* produced through genetic engineering to biosynthesize **Beta-carotene**, a precursor of **Vitamin A**, in the edible parts of the rice.
3. **Public Health**: It was developed as a potential solution to Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in regions where rice is the staple food, which can lead to blindness and weakened immunity.
4. **Comparison**: Iron fortification is done in other crops ($e.g.,$ Atlas 66 wheat), but not the primary focus of the 'Golden Rice' variety.

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biofortification

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