Researchers claim that globally around 700,000 children die each year as a consequence of vitamin A deficiency with a further 300,000 cases of blindness attributed to a lack of the vitamin. There is also evidence that vitamin A deficiency can impact on the immune system resulting in a greater susceptibility to a range of illnesses.
In a project stemming from work at Queensland University of Technology genetically modified bananas engineered with high doses of vitamin A will be tested on humans. The goal is to grow the engineered fruit in parts of Africa by 2020. rt.com/usa/166288-banana-genetically-modified-trial/
One of the research team, Professor James Dale, claims that: “Good science can make a massive difference here by enriching staple crops such as Ugandan bananas with pro-vitamin A and providing poor and subsistence-farming populations with nutritionally rewarding food”.
Starting in Uganda, if successful, crops will be planted throughout Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
There is ongoing debate around the use of genetically modified organism (GMO) food, especially concerning safety, and long term environmental and health issues.
Many in favour of GM crops see environmentalists as standing in the way of progress as the arguments in this editorial outline: www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials/gm-technology-must-be-allowed-to-take-root-9540836.html
While those opposed demand more evidence and transparency especially in relation to the commercial interests of companies such as Monsanto as this article highlights:rt.com/news/gmo-substantial-equivalence-failed-015/
What do you think?
GMO or OMG?
Image: www.guardianlv.com
It is proposed that genetically modified bananas with additional vitamin A should be planted in Africa