Golden rice is a transgenic crop of the future with which of the following improved trait?

Options

A. High lysine (essential amino acid) content
B. Insect resistance
C. High protein content
D. High vitamin-A content

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Identify the Problem**: The question asks about the improved trait of Golden Rice, a transgenic crop. The primary issue addressed by Golden Rice is vitamin A deficiency, which is prevalent in certain populations.

2. **Understand the Context**: Vitamin A deficiency can lead to serious health issues, including night blindness, particularly affecting rural populations in India. This deficiency is a significant public health concern.

3. **Recognize the Solution**: To combat vitamin A deficiency, scientists aimed to enhance the nutritional content of a staple food that is widely consumed. In India, rice is one of the most commonly consumed staples.

4. **Genetic Modification**: The solution involved incorporating a specific gene known as the beta-carotene gene into rice. Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A and is responsible for the orange color in many fruits and vegetables.

5. **Result of Genetic Engineering**: The genetically modified rice, now referred to as Golden Rice, has been engineered to produce beta-carotene. This means that when people consume Golden Rice, they are also consuming beta-carotene, which the body can convert into vitamin A.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the improved trait of Golden Rice is its high vitamin A content, which helps to alleviate vitamin A deficiency in populations that rely on rice as a staple food.

**Final Answer**: Golden Rice is a transgenic crop with the improved trait of high vitamin A content.

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