Golden Rice Humanitarian Project
Rice feeds half the world. Many poor people eat only rice, which has no vitamin A. Because of lack of vitamin A about 6000 children die each day, every day. Or they go blind. Half a teacup of Golden Rice eaten daily can prevent this. We are trying to give Golden Rice to people who need and want it.
4 comments
Adrian Dubock • over 10 years ago
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition results in 2009 and 2012 (Tang et al in both cases) suggest that 40 grams a day of dry Golden Rice will save life and sight.
It's about the amount in the perti dish in the second photo.
Bryan S • about 10 years ago
While I understand that the science on paper makes sense for the use of trans-genetically modified foods, how does golden rice feel about the recent allegations against Monsanto's crops no longer resisting certain parasites it was meant to defend against? Also how will this affect the lives of people who do eat it? How many years has this rice been tested on animals before allowing humans to eat it?
Adrian Dubock • about 10 years ago
Dear Bryan, Thank you for you interest in Golden Rice. Your question regarding Monsanto's crops seems to be irelevant to Golden Rice, and I suggest you take it up with them. All current data suggests that it will affect the lives of those that eat it after it is approved by regulators in each country by keeping 23 - 34% of children under 5 years old alive who would otherwise die, and preventing blindness. What this means in numbers is given in the files attached to this website. Golden Rice has gone through all safety evaluations that have been appropriate since the project’s inception. International food safety guidelines consider potential toxicity, potential allergic properties, the nutritional value, stability of the genes and unanticipated effects.
• These studies all indicate that Golden Rice is not different from the rice that is eaten today in any way that would affect its safety.
• The safety of beta-carotene itself has been tested; it is present in numerous everyday foods eaten around the world, for example all coloured fruits and vegetables.
• As the product moves through additional development steps, scientific data requirements will be assessed by regulatory agencies in the target countries for Golden Rice in compliance with proper regulatory procedures.
Animals are not a good model for humans in studying beta carotene uptake and metabolism as the species have different systems.
In any event, animal studies are not required if the food and nutrient used is recognized as “Generally Recognized as Safe” or GRAS by the U. S. FDA, and as long as the doses are customary in the overall diet. Beta-carotene falls into this category, as do foods such as spinach and rice and Golden Rice.
Adrian Dubock • about 10 years ago
By the way Bryan, if you or others require more information, please feel free to e mail me at contact@goldenrice.org