With the growth of population and the impact of climate change, the problem of global food security is becoming increasingly serious. And genetic improvement technology is considered an important means to solve the food security problem. Golden rice is one of the genetically improved solutions, which is designed to be a vitamin A-rich rice to solve the global problem of vitamin A deficiency disease in children. In this paper, we will introduce the principle of genetic modification of golden rice, its operational steps, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.

I. Principle of genetic improvement of golden rice

Golden rice is genetically engineered to transfer two genes naturally occurring in rice, from the yellow pigment synthesis pathway and the cytoplasmic skeleton of rice, respectively, to ordinary rice, thus enriching it with vitamin A. Among these genes, the yellow pigment synthesis pathway refers to the pathway of synthesizing β-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. The yellow pigment synthesis pathway refers to the pathway of synthesizing β-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. The cytoplasmic skeleton of rice, on the other hand, is an important part of vitamin A protection. Through this genetic modification technology, the vitamin A content of golden rice can reach more than 15 micrograms per 100 grams, which is several times that of ordinary rice.

Two, golden rice operation steps

Golden rice planting and harvesting process is the same as ordinary rice, but special attention is needed during processing to ensure the stability of vitamin A. The golden rice can be grown and harvested in the same way as ordinary rice.

1. Screening and washing of paddy: Select healthy paddy, remove impurities and wash it.

2. Steaming of paddy: put the paddy into a steamer and steam it, the time and temperature should be controlled to ensure the stability of vitamin A.

3. Milling of paddy: put the boiled paddy into the rice mill for milling to get the golden rice.

4. Packaging of golden rice: put the golden rice into a bag and keep it sealed to ensure the stability of vitamin A.

Three, the advantages and disadvantages of golden rice

1. Advantages

(1) Golden rice is rich in vitamin A, can prevent children from vitamin A deficiency disease.

(2) The planting and harvesting process of golden rice is the same as that of ordinary rice, and does not require special planting techniques and equipment.

(3) The genetic improvement technology of golden rice can provide reference for other food crops.

2. Disadvantages

(1) The genetic improvement technology of golden rice still has certain risks and uncertainties, which may cause potential risks to the environment and human health.

(2) Golden rice is more expensive to grow and harvest, which may result in a higher price compared to ordinary rice.

(3) Golden rice can only solve the problem of vitamin A deficiency disease, not other nutritional deficiencies.