The story of Golden Rice did not begin last year, however, but more than 20 years ago with the idea of a German-Swiss research team. Two biologists, Ingo Potrykus and Peter Beyer, wanted to use green genetic engineering to develop an effective remedy for [Vitamin A deficiency, or] VAD for countries in Asia where rice is the staple food. They hoped for nothing less than to be able to save millions of lives.
Normal rice does not naturally produce beta-carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A by the human body.
