In 1999, a kind and altruistic scientist had the idea to put beta-carotene (that
ID: 207209 • Letter: I
Question
In 1999, a kind and altruistic scientist had the idea to put beta-carotene (that is essential to make vitamin A) into rice and save up to 500,000 children from blindness. Yet this technology has yet to come to be commercialized due to fervent anti-GMO protesters and socio-political-economical-journalistic confusion. Greenpeace can perhaps be forgiven for condemning BT crops since they are largely made by corporations that want to make money, but by condemning “Golden Rice” Greenpeace is affected the health of millions of people, and these millions live in poor countries. Discuss. Scientists are not perfect either. A well-known neurobiologist (David Schubert) at the Salk Institute falsified data to report that golden rice might be toxic. What issues strike you as relevant/important?
Explanation / Answer
Golden Rice:
Scientist have created number of GM foods genetically modified food. Golden rice is the genetically modified crop created to improve the dietary intake of Beta carotene, which metabolizes to vitamin A.
Opposition:
When the Golden rice project was announced, there were many oppositions for it. people say that to meet the deficiency there are many ways that already exists, GM crops are not required.
Some others say that to produce these GM crops it has to be tied up with the biotech industries, thus they are trying to make money.
Greenpeace are the supporters of Golden rice project they continue to say its beneficial everyone.
Golden rice project is affected by following factors:
David R Schubert is a critic of GM crops:
Schubert argued that there is no evidence that GM crops are safe to eat, he also said that form the introduction of GM crops the allergies have increased.
David R Schubert said that beta carotene might increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers, but he failed to mention the dosage he used.
Though the golden rice project has been introduced for the benefit of the people, and there is no evidence on its side effects, scientist has to study more on it before making people to consume it, since there are lots of risk factors associated with it.
The issue which strikes me is that Golden rice project is initiated only for the poor people in developing countries, but those people won’t be able to afford this costly rice variety. When the vitamin deficiency can be controlled by Vitamin A rich diet or vitamin tablet which is cheaper, What is the need for this Golden rice for the poor. And also there is a debate on whether or not it has risk factors associated with it, better not to implement it.
Only when it is proved to have 100% beneficial result with no side effects, and cheap to afford then it can be implemented.
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