Promoting research on varieties of

A number of international research institutes are focusing on new rice varieties 'golden rice 2' to combat the increased risk of blindness due to vitamin A deficiency in the world. Compared to the "golden rice" variety developed in 2000, this "golden rice 2" has 23 times the amount of vitamin A (ie beta-carotene).

According to Jagadish Mittur, director of Monsanto Research Center in Bangalore (India), the genome of the new rice variety has been added with the genes of yellow flower narcissus or corn. Rice varieties are being researched and developed in six Asian countries, including Vietnam.

Because the new rice variety is a product of genetically modified technology, scientists are studying to determine the food safety and environmental safety of this variety, before putting it into commercial cultivation. trade within the next 3-4 years.

UA