How golden rice is produced?

Golden rice is a genetically modified (GM) variety of rice that has been engineered to produce beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. Here's how it's produced:

1. Gene Insertion:

* Genes from other organisms: Scientists isolate genes for specific enzymes involved in beta-carotene synthesis. These genes are often taken from daffodils or maize.

* Vector system: The genes are then inserted into a vector, which is a carrier like a bacterial plasmid or a virus.

* Transformation: The vector is introduced into rice cells, where the new genes are incorporated into the rice genome.

2. Selection and Regeneration:

* Antibiotic resistance: The vector often carries an antibiotic resistance gene, allowing scientists to identify and select rice cells that have successfully incorporated the new genes.

* Tissue culture: The genetically modified rice cells are grown in a culture medium to regenerate into whole plants.

3. Evaluation and Breeding:

* Testing: The golden rice plants are tested for their beta-carotene content and other traits.

* Breeding: The best golden rice lines are further bred with traditional rice varieties to improve yield, taste, and other desirable traits.

The result: Golden rice produces beta-carotene in its endosperm, the part of the grain that is eaten. This beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A in the body, providing a potential solution to vitamin A deficiency, which can lead to blindness and other health problems.

Key points to remember:

* Golden rice is a GM crop, meaning its genetic makeup has been altered.

* The process involves introducing genes from other organisms into rice.

* It produces beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A.

* It has the potential to address vitamin A deficiency in developing countries.

Note: Golden rice is still under development and faces several challenges, including regulatory approval and public acceptance.