• Question: Are foods from genetically engineered plants less nutritious than comparable foods?

    Asked by to Jennifer on 18 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Jennifer Stephens

      Jennifer Stephens answered on 18 Jun 2014:

      Hi n17tom
      Plants are normally engineered to make them better. An example is Golden rice. In normal rice plants the genes that make beta carotene are not all switched on in the seed. Golden rice plants have been genetically engineered to make beta carotene in the seeds. Beta carotene is converted into Vitamin A in our bodies and is essential for healthy eyes and skin.
      In developing countries where rice is often their main food, there are millions of children that go blind and sometimes die because they don’t get enough vitamin A in their diet. If they had Golden rice it could save their lives.

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