Golden rice is a promising transgenic crop. When released for cultivation , it will help in:

Options

A. Alleviation of vitamin A deficiency
B. Pest resistance
C. Herbicide tolerance
D. Producing a petrol-like fuel from rice

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Golden Rice**: Golden rice is a genetically modified organism (GMO) that has been engineered to produce beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, in its grains. This modification aims to address vitamin A deficiency, particularly in regions where rice is a staple food.

2. **Identifying the Problem**: Vitamin A deficiency is a significant public health issue in many developing countries, leading to various health problems, including blindness and increased mortality rates, especially in children and pregnant women.

3. **Mechanism of Action**: The genetic modification involves inserting two specific genes that activate the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in rice. This pathway is usually downregulated during the development of the rice grains, which is why traditional rice does not produce significant amounts of beta-carotene.

4. **Outcome of Genetic Modification**: By keeping the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway active, golden rice accumulates beta-carotene in its grains, effectively increasing the vitamin A content of the rice.

5. **Conclusion**: When golden rice is released for cultivation, it will primarily help in alleviating vitamin A deficiency in populations that rely heavily on rice as a dietary staple. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is option A: Elevation of vitamin A deficiency.