Crop biofortification, key to achieving Millennium Development Goals | Checkbiotech

Home | Contact Us | Partnership | Site Map

left shadow

Checkbiotech - for emerging fields of science

NEWSLETTERS SUBMIT CONTENT

Checkbiotech Home

Sign In | Register

bottom shadow


	View Edit Domain: GreenBio Title: * Body: Davao City - Micronutrients are considered as "magic wands" as they are essential to growth, health, and wellness of all, especially the children and women. <br /> <br /> However, micronutrients deficiency is a global problem, contributing to world's widespread malnutrition and high rate of children and women's mortality.<br /> <br /> UNICEF and WHO World Food Programme estimate that more than 2 billion people in the world are deficient in Vitamin A, Iodine, Iron or Zinc. And most these people are deficient to more than one of these micronutrients.<br /> <br /> According to Dr. Corazon Barba, nutritionist from the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), "Six out of the eight objectives in the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) are related to micronutrient deficiency. And together with conventional interventions, such as supplementation and industrial fortification, biofortification of crops with essential micronutrients could greatly contribute in the attainment of these MDGs".<br /> <br /> Dr. Barba believes on the potentials of crop biofortification as one of the long term solutions in combating this widespread and persistent public health problem. Dr. Randy Hautea of ISAAA also trusts that biofortification can help in alleviating global malnutrition.<br /> <br /> Crop biofortification is a strategy employed by agricultural research institutions to utilize genetic modification (GM) of crops to enhance levels of essential micronutrient. The potentials and safety issues of biofortified crops to address micronutrient deficiencies was the focus of a symposium held last January 18, 2010 at SEARCA, College, Laguna.<br /> <br /> During the symposium, Dr. Gerard Barry, Golden Rice Network Coordinator of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), shared the current biofortification initiatives in rice for micronutrients Vitamin A, iron, and zinc. Of all these efforts, the pro-Vitamin A Golden rice is considered to be in most advanced stage and is expected to reach commercial approval in the Philippines by the Year 2012 or 2013.<br /> <br /> Like any other biotech/GM crops, biofortified crops, such as Golden rice, are assessed for food and environmental safety prior to commercial release. The Philippines has set-up policies and regulatory framework that governs such assessment prior to commercial use.<br /> <br /> The symposium was organized by the UPLB Institute of Human Nutrition and Food in cooperation with the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center and the Biotech Coalition of the Philippines.<br /> <br /> Copyright ©2010 Philippine Information Agency<br /> Captcha: Please Enter Code : * Time Zone: * Select the time zone Vocabularies Newsletter: Domain: Show summary in full view Input format Filtered HTML Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Full HTML Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. news_filter Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. More information about formatting options			Related Articles DA chief says no to genetically modified eggplant Peterson: Propelling the future of Agriculture USDA weighs biotech compensation plan UP-Mindanao hits campaign versus genetically modified plants Blague du jour? Improving Crops from the Roots Up Farmers battle a super-bug Fear of GMO crops is unfounded, they should be embraced Cotton stainer, future threat to Pakistan Mexican Progress on Biotech Crops Top GreenBio Articles

Home | Partnership | Contact Us | Site Map | News Site Map
© 2000-2012 Checkbiotech.org | Disclaimer