Additionally, some products appearing in the scientific literature but awaiting commercialization have the potential to dramatically improve human nutritional deficiencies, which are especially prevalent in developing countries. These products include "golden rice," genetically modified rice that produces carotenoids, a dietary source of vitamin A. Golden rice has the potential to prevent vitamin A deficiency in developing countries, where this vitamin deficiency is a leading cause of blindness.
Researchers are also using genetic engineering to increase the amount of the ironstoring protein ferritin in seed crops such as legumes. Iron deficiency, which affects 30 percent of the human population, can impair cognitive development and cause other health problems. This proposed enhancement of iron content in consumable plant products could help more than a billion people who suffer from chronic iron deficiency.
See also: Plant Transformation Methods, Steps in Genetic Engineering
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