A transgenic food crop, which may help in solving the problem of night blindness in developing countries is

Options

A. (a) Flavr savr tomatoes
B. (b) starlink maize
C. (c) Bt soyabean
D. (d) Golden rice

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Night Blindness**: Night blindness is a condition where individuals have difficulty seeing in low light or darkness. This condition is primarily caused by a deficiency of vitamin A, which is essential for the production of a pigment called retinal. Retinal is crucial for the function of rod cells in the retina, which are responsible for vision in dim light.

2. **Identifying the Role of Vitamin A**: Vitamin A is vital for synthesizing retinal, which is a component of the visual cycle. Without adequate vitamin A, the production of retinal is impaired, leading to difficulties in seeing in low-light conditions.

3. **Exploring Transgenic Food Crops**: The question asks for a transgenic food crop that can help alleviate the problem of night blindness. Transgenic crops are genetically modified to express certain traits that can provide nutritional benefits.

4. **Evaluating Options**:
- **A. Flavor Savored Tomatoes**: This crop is modified to enhance shelf life and does not address vitamin A deficiency.
- **B. Starling Maize**: This variety is not known for addressing vitamin A deficiency but is modified for pest resistance.
- **C. Bt Soybean**: Similar to starling maize, this is modified for insect resistance and does not contribute to vitamin A levels.
- **D. Golden Rice**: This is a genetically modified rice variety that has been enriched with beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. The addition of beta-carotene pathway genes allows the rice to produce this nutrient, making it beneficial for populations suffering from vitamin A deficiency.

5. **Conclusion**: The most appropriate answer to the question is **D. Golden Rice**, as it directly addresses the issue of night blindness by providing a source of vitamin A.