In some countries, rice is the main food that people eat. Rice does not contain vitamin A. A lack of vitamin A can cause blindness.
Scientists have produced Golden rice. Golden rice has been genetically engineered so that it makes β\betaβ-carotene. The body uses β\betaβ-carotene to make vitamin A.
Describe what is meant by genetic engineering.
Suggest how growing Golden rice could improve the health of people in these countries.
Some people are against growing genetically engineered crops such as Golden rice.
Give two reasons why.
A scientist says that giving people vitamin A tablets would be cheaper than growing Golden rice.
Suggest one reason why growing Golden rice could still be a better solution.
127 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE Biology 6.2 Feeding the human race, covering 6.2.1 Biological factors affecting food security, 6.2.2 Agricultural solutions to growing demand, 6.2.3 Selective breeding, 6.2.4 Genetic engineering, 6.2.5 Steps in genetic engineering, 6.2.6 Benefits and risks of gene technology in agriculture, and 6.2.7 Biotechnological solutions to growing demand. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.