Golden Rice versus vitamin deficiency

MUNOZ SCIENCE CITY, Nueva Ecija, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is developing a rice variety rich in vitamin A, known as Golden Rice, to lessen incidents of Vitamin A deficiency in Filipino children.

Rice researcher Dr. Antonio Alfonso said once Golden Rice is approved by the government regulators for propagation, the Helen Keller International (HKI), a leading global health organization that reduces blindness and prevents malnutrition worldwide, will compare the efficacy of daily consumption of Golden Rice, white rice, and vitamin A supplement for 90 days among vitamin A-deficient rural lactating women in the Philippines.

“Project partners will also design a sustainable delivery program to ensure that the Golden Rice seeds can be effectively delivered to farmers, and its grains are affordable, accessible, and available to consumers in local markets. The aim is to make sure that Golden Rice can reach those who need it most,” he said.

Alfonso said that existing approaches to vitamin A deficiency have already proven their benefits but gaps persist.

Hanah Hazel Mavi M. Biag of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), an attached agency of the DA, said that every year about 670,000 children die and another 350,000 go blind worldwide as a result of vitamin A deficiency.

“Years from now, such suffering could be reduced with Golden Rice, a potential new tool in the fight against Vitamin A deficiency,” she said.

The deficiency is a common micronutrient malady and primarily affects children and pregnant women in developing countries, like the Philippines.

She said that Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children.

“It also impairs their immune system, increasing risks of death from certain common infections. In pregnant women, the deficiency can cause night blindness and may increase the risk of maternal mortality,” Biag said.

Biag said that as rice is widely produced and consumed, Golden Rice has the potential to reach many people, including those who do not have reliable access or cannot afford other sources of vitamin A.