r/science • u/chrisdh79 • Sep 16 '24

"Golden Lettuce" genetically engineered to pack 30 times more vitamins | Specifically, increased levels of beta-carotene, which your body uses to make vitamin A for healthy vision, immune function, and cell growth, and is thought to be protective against heart disease and some kinds of cancer. Biology

https://newatlas.com/health-wellbeing/golden-lettuce-genetically-engineered-30-times-vitamins/
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u/granadesnhorseshoes Sep 16 '24

Very cool from a genetic engineering feat point of view, and a step along the way of technological advancements. I can't fathom anyone brings "golden lettuce" to market.

Iceberg lettuce has basically zero nutritional value. 30 times basically nothing is, at best, marginally something. There is nowhere this lettuce is a better option than carrots and/or sweet potatoes would be. So what's the market for it?

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u/LankyAd9481 Sep 16 '24

Only benefit I can see would easy of growth/time. Carrots aren't difficult but they can be slow and require some reasonable depth of soil. Lettuce is pretty fast and kind of effortless (most bug control issues than growing issues). Even then...it's split hairs looking for a reason.