Golden rice is

Options

A. a variety of rice grown along the yellow river in China
B. long stored rice having yellow colour tint
C. a transgenic rice having gene for caro- tene
D. wild variety of rice with yellow coloured grains

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Definition of Golden Rice**: Golden rice is a genetically modified variety of rice that has been engineered to produce beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A.

2. **Genetic Engineering Process**: The process involves the insertion of a specific gene responsible for the synthesis of beta-carotene into the rice genome. This is done through genetic engineering techniques.

3. **Purpose of Golden Rice**: The primary purpose of developing golden rice is to combat vitamin A deficiency, which can lead to serious health issues, including blindness and increased mortality rates, especially in developing countries where rice is a staple food.

4. **Characteristics of Golden Rice**: Unlike traditional rice varieties, golden rice has a yellowish tint due to the presence of beta-carotene. This visual characteristic helps in identifying it as a biofortified crop.

5. **Transgenic Nature**: Golden rice is classified as a transgenic organism because it contains genes that have been artificially introduced from other species. This distinguishes it from conventional rice varieties that have not undergone genetic modification.

6. **Significance**: The development of golden rice represents an important advancement in biotechnology aimed at improving nutrition and health outcomes in populations that rely heavily on rice as a dietary staple.