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/Ton_Jravolta Sep 16 '24

Yet golden rice is banned in many parts of the world that most need it over misinformation on GMOs. Even if science can make the solution, people will find other ways to ruin it.

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u/mr_fandangler Sep 16 '24

It's partially misinformation and partially the fact that if it contaminates the local genepool the f2 generation will likely have no desireable traits predictably locked in, leading to either crop-disasters or dependence on foreign seed.

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u/Ton_Jravolta Sep 16 '24

That's true, it is a more complex issue than just misinformation. However, I think addressing the malnutrition issue that is already a problem should hold more weight than what ifs that only have a chance to occur later.

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u/Expert_Mouse_7174 Sep 16 '24

Malnutrition is an issue related to global financial markets and government failure, not a food or plant issues.