How is golden rice made?

Golden rice is a genetically modified strain of rice that is created by introducing two genes that activate beta-carotene production The result is a grain of rice that contains high levels of beta-carotene, an organic compound essential for producing vitamin A.

A bowl of golden rice provides 60 percent of a child's daily vitamin A requirements. In nature, the rice pant produces beta-carotene naturally but only in the leaves. Through bio-engineering, golden rice produces beta-carotene in the grains. This results in yellow grains of rice. As of 2014, golden rice is undergoing field testing in the Philippines to assess its crop potential and ensure that it is safe for human consumption.