Golden rice: Is a transgenic variety of rice (Oryza

Golden rice is a transgenic variety of rice (Oryza Sativa) which contains good quantities of β-carotene ( provitamin A- inactive state of vitamin A). β-carotene is a principle source of vitamin A. Since the grains (seeds) of the rice are yellow in colour due to β-carotene, the rice is commonly called golden rice . Was this answer helpful? In this article we will discuss about the metabolic engineering of golden rice . Golden rice was contributed by two German research team headed by Potrykus of Swiss Institute of Technology in Zurich. Peter Beyer of the University of Freiburg. The team has engineered Japonica rice variety by adding three genes, two of which are new to genetic engi­neering and are derived from daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus). The third gene was ob­tained from bacteria, Erwinia uredovara. Rice endosperm ... Rice is a staple food in many countries, particularly in Asia, but does not contain vitamin A or its immediate precursors. By inserting two genes from Daffodil and one gene from a bacterial species into rice plants, Swiss researchers have produce rice capable of synthesising β-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A is required by all individuals as it is present in retina of eyes. Deficiency of vitamin A causes night blindness and skin disorders. This rice is called ' Golden rice ... Rice produces carotene in the leaves but the biosynthetic pathway is turned off during plant development in grains. Transgenic rice , Golden Rice , was engineered by inserting two genes that restart the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway leading to the production and accumulation of carotene in the grains. These are the naturally occurring down-regulated genes. But the transgenic variety does not show down regulation and grains are rich in vitamin A.