Study finds genetically modified rice good source of vitamin A for malnourished children

"Genetically modified rice could be a good source of vitamin A for children in countries where deficiency in the vitamin is common," according to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Reuters reports. "The study tested so-called Golden Rice against both spinach and supplements in providing vitamin A to 68 six- to eight-year-olds in China," the news service notes. "Researchers found that the rice was as effective as the capsules in giving kids a boost of vitamin A, based on blood tests taken over three weeks," and that "it worked better than the natural beta-carotene in spinach," according to Reuters. "The product has been around for years, but it has yet to come into real-world use for a number of reasons," the news service notes, adding, "Because it's genetically modified, it has faced opposition from environmental groups and others." Reuters writes, "There have also been questions about how efficiently the beta-carotene in Golden Rice can be converted into vitamin A, especially in children" (Norton, 8/15).