International experts expressed their support for vitamin-A enriched
rice known as Golden Rice, which can prevent vitamin A deficiency (VAD)
that kills millions of children in less-developed countries. Their
opinion article is published in the/Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences of the United States of America/(/PNAS/).

Golden Rice offers a potent and cost-effective solution to VAD. To date,
only thePhillipineshas approved the cultivation of Golden Rice. Studies
have shown that Golden Rice consumption could provide 89%-113% and 57%-
99% of the recommended vitamin A requirement for preschool children in
Bangladesh and the Philippines, respectively. Furthermore, Golden Rice
has been projected to be financially viable and requires no extra cost
to governments, growers, or consumers compared to white rice.

The experts said that delaying the uptake ofGM products
[www.isaaa.org]
health benefits has and will cost numerous lives, usually the most
vulnerable populations. Thus, policymakers must find solutions to Golden
Rice resistance and speed up its adoption and use.

Opinion: Allow Golden Rice to save lives | PNAS
[www.pnas.org]