Outreach in Biotechnology

Humanitarian Vision and Political Roadblocks

7:00p 12 Oct 2005, Oregon State University

Ingo Potrykus

• lecture intro by OrB director Steve Strauss
• lecture slides (pdf version)

golden rice: rice genetically engineered (two genes are added) to enable beta-carotene biosynthesis in the edible part of the grain, giving it a bright yellow color. One serving of golden rice supplies enough beta-carotene to meet 10 percent of the daily requirement for  vitamin A. Worldwide, 125 million children — particularly those in developing countries — suffer from vitamin A deficiency, causing blindness and even death. Although golden rice was developed as a humanitarian tool, it has met with significant opposition from environmental and anti-globalization activists. The golden rice project began in 1992; the rice will finally reach consumers in 2012.

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