Golden Rice was created through genetic modification by adding specific genes into a standard rice variety.
The Creation of Golden Rice
Golden Rice is a notable example of biotechnology applied to staple crops. Its creation involved altering the genetic makeup of rice to introduce new traits.
Genetic Modification Process
The core process involved adding foreign genes into the rice genome. Based on the provided reference, this genetic modification was achieved by integrating two specific genes into a selected rice variety.
- Gene 1: phytoene synthase (Zmpsy1)
- Source Organism: Zea mays (corn)
- Gene 2: carotene desaturase (crtI) gene
- Source Organism: Pantoea ananatis (a common soil bacterium, previously known as Erwinia uredovora)
The Recipient Rice Variety
These two genes were introduced into a specific temperate japonica rice variety.
- Rice Variety: Kaybonnet
- Origin: USA
Summary of Genetic Additions
The key genetic components and their origins involved in the creation of Golden Rice, as described in the reference, can be summarized:
| Gene Name | Source Organism | Recipient Rice Variety | Purpose (Implied by Genes)¹ |
|---|---|---|---|
| phytoene synthase (Zmpsy1) | Zea mays | Kaybonnet | Beta-carotene pathway |
| carotene desaturase (crtI) | Pantoea ananatis (syn. Erwinia) | Kaybonnet | Beta-carotene pathway |
¹Note: While the reference specifies the genes and rice variety, the primary purpose of adding these genes – enabling the rice grain to produce beta-carotene – is standard knowledge but not explicitly stated in the text provided.
In essence, Golden Rice was developed by taking genes from corn and a common soil bacterium and inserting them into a popular rice variety to give it new capabilities.
