Nourished through Science: The Contributions of Golden Rice in the Alleviation of Vitamin A Deficiency in Underdeveloped Countries

Abstract

            Rice is a staple food in many underdeveloped countries. Traditional rice is low in vitamin A. Therefore, many individuals suffer from vitamin A deficiency. “Golden Rice” is a type of genetically modified (GM) rice that contains high levels of vitamin A and can counteract the ill effects of traditional rice. In order to satisfy Millennium Development Goal 1, Golden Rice and other nutrient rich GM crops must be utilized. However, Golden Rice is being prevented from implementation because of the controversy surrounding genetically modified foods. 

            In 2010, the United Nations deemed the worldwide elimination of poverty and hunger as a top priority in the Millennium Development Goals (UNICEF). Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 1 is to “Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger” and focuses on providing proper nutrition through decreasing poverty. In many underdeveloped countries, rice is the primary means of income and nutrition (EUFIC). Due to the low prices and narrow nutritional benefits of rice, many individuals in these countries develop vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency drastically impacts health. In order to negate the effects of a diet consisting mainly of rice, Golden Rice was developed. Golden Rice is a genetically modified rice containing high levels of vitamin A (GMO Compass). Although the benefits of Golden Rice are obvious, the distribution of Golden Rice to underdeveloped countries cannot escape the controversy surrounding genetically modified (GM) crops. The European Union (EU), a vital trade partner to these underdeveloped countries, harshly opposes GM foods (Shah). Despite opposition to the genetic modification of foods, Golden Rice and other nutrient rich GM crops prove to be vital resources in the satisfaction of MDG 1 and must be implemented to combat undernourishment in impoverished countries.

            As stated previously, Millennium Development Goal 1 is to “Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger” (UNICEF). The purpose of MDG 1 is to ensure adequate food intake for all inhabitants of the world, preventing undernourishment and its associated health problems. Undernourishment results when a diet lacks proper intake of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and water (Nix). Rice consists of 89 percent carbohydrates, 4 percent fats, and 7 percent proteins (SELF Nutrition Data). According to Williams’ Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy, a balanced diet should consist of 45 percent to 65 percent carbohydrates, 20 percent to 35 percent fats, and 10 percent to 35 percent protein (Nix). Also, rice is completely deficient of vitamins A, C, K, D, and B₁₂ (SELF Nutrition Data). As can be noted, a diet consisting mainly of rice can quickly lead to undernourishment.

            In underdeveloped countries there is little availability for variety in diet because healthy foods are considered a delicacy and are consequently unaffordable. As a result, many individuals living in poverty stricken countries suffer from undernourishment. The attached map (Figure 1) depicts the percentage of individuals in different countries throughout the world that are undernourished (ATinNM). Undernourishment also leads to a variety of health problems. Nations in which rice is a staple food contain a large population that suffers from vitamin A deficiency. Dr. Lee Parsons, Ob/Gyn and adjunct professor at The College of Idaho, states that “Vitamin A deficiency is the most common cause of blindness” (Parsons). Sadly, blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency is completely preventable. Vitamin A rich Golden Rice provides an alternative to traditional rice grown in impoverished countries and can also prevent blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency.

            Golden Rice was first developed in Switzerland in 2000 and was genetically modified to contain a precursor of vitamin A called beta-carotene (Black). Once in the body, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A. Initially, the two genes implemented into Golden Rice that contributed to higher levels of beta-carotene in rice were the PSY gene from the daffodil (Narcissus

Pseudonarcissus) and the CrtI gene from the bacterium Erwinia uredovora (Yonekura-Sakakibara and Saito). Later, in order to obtain a higher beta-carotene yield, the maize PSY gene was used. This version of Golden Rice contains 37 micrograms of beta-carotene per gram of dry rice. The recommended intake of vitamin A in its various forms is 700 to 900 micrograms per day (Nix). The implementation of Golden Rice would provide a convenient mechanism of distribution of vitamin A to populations in need (Parsons).

            The advantage of Golden Rice as a source of vitamin A supplementation is that farmers in the affected regions already know how to grow rice (Yonekura-Sakakibara and Saito). As opposed to vitamin supplements, which may be unfamiliar to many individuals in underdeveloped countries and is projected to be more costly, genetically modifying crops with vital nutrients provides a familiar alternative to ingesting needed nutrients  (Stein, Sachdev and Qaim). Other crops that have been genetically modified to additional nutrients include lettuce, maize, canola, soybeans, and tomatoes (Yonekura-Sakakibara and Saito). These crops enhance  the attainability of MDG 1 by providing proper dietary intake and decreasing undernourishment in impoverished nations.

            It is suggested that GM foods are unsafe because of a lack of evidence regarding their impact on consumers and the environment (Shah). Dr. Lee Parsons states, “To this date, there are no scientific, peer-reviewed studies which indicate any safety issues from the consumption of GM crops… The safety concerns that are raised by some groups are ‘junk-science.’” Opponents of Golden Rice also call into question the crop’s affordability and the efficiency of Golden Rice replacing only a single nutrient (Krawinkel). Concerning the affordability of Golden Rice, it has been projected that providing vitamin A supplements to 100 million children in India would cost upwards of 116 million dollars (Stein, Sachdev and Qaim). The cost for Golden Rice production worldwide in 2007 was 9.3 million dollars. Thirdly, there is concern about Golden Rice only providing vitamin A supplementation, where most undernourished individuals have multiple nutrient deficiencies. Proponents of nutrient enriched GM crops argue that the long term goal is that a single crop will be modified to include several nutrients, thereby increasing the efficiency of growing nutrient enriched crops.

            The wealth and power of the European Unions allows them to impose harsh regulations on trade with underdeveloped countries who rely on the EU as a major trade partner (Parsons). Therefore, many underdeveloped nations are hesitant about growing GM crops. In the event that these countries were expelled from trade with the EU because of growing GM crops, many impoverished individuals would lose the little source of income available (Cozay Group). In order to encourage these underdeveloped nations to grow GM foods, the burden of poverty must be relinquished. Lastly, the moral obligation of satisfying MDG 1 must be universal before any major impact can be made. The development and distribution of GM foods is a small step. The desire to provide adequate resources and improve health of impoverished individuals must be an intrinsic responsibility of individuals and nations able to help. Being a nation that values beneficence, the United States  has the resources and the knowledge to assist nations in need. The United States has a moral responsibility to disperse the benefits of GM crops to undernourished and impoverished nations (Parsons).

            Yonekura-Sakakibara and Saito state, “In developing countries vitamin A, preferably in the form of carotenoid enriched foods, is needed to solve the [vitamin A deficiency] problem.” The most efficient and affective solution currently available is Golden Rice. A healthier population is a more prosperous population. Golden Rice and other nutrient-rich GM crops have the potential to solve the world’s hunger and poverty dilemmas. However, the responsbility of satisfying MDG 1 ultimately falls back on the nations and individuals that have the ability to assist countries that are starving and impoverished. The economic selfishness of the EU must be counteracted and the senseless assertions of GM food opponents must be silenced. The cries of the hungry and impoverished cannot be heard. We must be their voice.

Figure 1: Representation of Undernourishment by Country

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