Genetically modified rice are types of rice that have been genetically modified for agricultural purposes. The rice is usually modified using particle bombardment via the use of a gene gun or more commonly, a process known as agrobacterium mediated transformation[1]. Rice plants can be modified to be herbicide resistant, resist pests, increase grain size, generate nutrients, and even produce human proteins[1]. Natural movement of genes between species, often called horizontal gene transfer or lateral gene transfer, can occur with rice because of gene transfer mediated by natural processes. There is new scientific literature about natural transgenic events in plants, through movement of natural mobile DNAs called MULEs between rice and Setaria millet[2].
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Monsanto produces herbicide resistant crops including soybean, corn, sugarbeets, and canola among others.[3]The company focuses on developing crops that are resistant to glyphosate (the active chemical in Roundup brand herbicide) known in the industry as Roundup Ready products[4]. Monsanto allowed research into roundup ready rice for one year (2000-2001) but has not developed the variety for market[5].
Bayer’s line of herbicide resistant rice is known as LibertyLink[6]. LibertyLink rice is a transgenic variety of rice resistant to glufosinate (the active chemical in Liberty herbicide)[4].Bayer crop sciences is currently attempting to get their latest variety (LL62) approved for use in the EU. The strain has already been approved for use in the U.S. but is not in large scale use.
Note: Both Roundup Ready and Librty Link producers also manufacture the herbicide they are modified to resist.
Clearfield rice was created by selective breeding in environments known to cause accelerated rates of mutations [7].As there is no direct genetic manipulation, the rice is considered to be natural with genetically favorable traits [7].Clearfield is resistant to a line of herbicides known as imidazolinones and has been bred with higher yielding varieties to produce an overall hardier plant [7].
Golden rice was originally created by Dr. Ingo Potrykus and his team in Zurich, Switzerland [8].This genetically modified rice is capable of producing beta-carotene in the endosperm (grain) which is a pre cursor for vitamin A production [8]. Potrykus’s goal is to distribute the rice to poor countries whose citizens suffer blindness and even death from a lack of vitamin A [8]. Currently, the company SynGenta owns the license for commercial distribution of golden rice [8]. The scientific details of the rice were first published in Science in 2000.
Ventria Bioscience uses a proprietary system known as Express Tec for producing recombinant human proteins in rice grains[9].Their most notable variety produces human Lactoferrin and Lysozyme [9]. These two proteins are produced naturally in human breast milk and are used globally in infant formula and rehydration products [9]. The company’s primary facility is located in Kansas [10].
BT rice is modified to express the cryIA(b) gene of the bacillus thuringiensis bacterium[11]. The gene confers resistance to a variety of pests including the rice borer through the production of endotoxins [11][12].China has approved the rice for large scale use as of 2009 [12].
In the summer of 2006 the USDA detected trace amounts of LibertyLink variety 601 in rice shipments ready for export[13].LL601 was not approved for food purposes; only for experimental and research use[13]. Bayer applied for deregulation of LL601 in late July and the USDA granted deregulation status to the strain in November 2006[14]. The contamination lead to a dramatic dip in rice futures along with massive losses to farmers who grew rice for export[13]. Approximately 30 percent of rice production was affected along with over 11,000 farmers [13].In June of 2011 Bayer agreed to pay 750 million dollars for damages and lost harvests associated with the contamination[13]. The exact cause of the contamination has never been discovered.
New Rice for Africa ("NERICA") is an interspecific cultivar of rice developed by the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) to improve the yield of African rice varieties.