Researchers are developing a new strain of genetically modified rice that contains much higher levels of iron and zinc, says the University of Melbourne. “This has the potential to reduce chronic malnutrition disorders that can be caused by an over-reliance on rice in the human diet,” says the university.
Rice is the staple food for more than half of the world’s population, and in several countries in Asia it provides 50-80 percent of the calories consumed daily by poor people. The University of Melbourne says in recent field trials, the GMO rice displayed yields as high as conventionally bred rice while exceeding their goals for increased iron and zinc. “We have proven our concept in a major variety of rice and we are now ready to move this into a developing country,” said plant biologist Alex Johnson.
“Dr. Johnson’s ambition is that farmers around the world would face no additional cost for adopting the iron and zinc biofortified rice,” says the university. Johnson and his colleagues aim to introduce the iron- and zinc-rich rice into Bangladesh, where rice is widely grown and half of the children and 70 percent of women are iron deficient. Bangladesh has approved planting of other GMO crops, including an eggplant strain.