Just Say no to golden rice

Genetically modified is now becoming even more stealth in its approach to homogenizing our food choices. “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 rice.[1] ‘Golden Rice’ is a GMO rice, that looks like rice dyed orange. It has been changed, so that it contains transplanted genes for producing beta carotene. GM manufacturers hope that this new ‘orange you gonna like me’ rice will replace all the rice that other white rice you may be accustomed to. It would be akin to the way breakfast cereal has sprayed on vitamins (whether you like it or not). However, with a breakfast cereal, you can choose to buy or not buy that particular brand in the box. With GM rice however, it’s not as easy to compartmentalize this choice. These seeds like all previous GM seeds, spread far and wide. The proponents of ‘golden rice’ say that it will help supplement vitamin A for those regions where people are deficient in this. However, there are drawbacks to dumping more vitamin A onto a populations rice-a-roni. Some of us may not need more vitamin A in our diet, and there is certainly a detriment to getting too much vitamin A. “Golden Rice” by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) – http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricephotos/5516789000/in/set-72157626241604366