Scientists called genetically modified rice as salvation from famine
The growth of genetically modified kind of rice is held in the frame of C4 RiceProject which started in 2008 at the instigation of Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation. The participation in investigations includes twelve scientific establishments from eight countries.
As for the type of photosynthesis the rice relates to the class C3 which is considered as rather arbitrary agricultural crop. The task of scientists is to change it into class C4 what allows to increase the yield by 50 per cent and make it more easy-to-keep and rapidly increasing one.
In the process of first two phases scientists successfully indentified biochemical and morphological components of plants responsible for photosynthesis of class C4. The third stage of investigation involves study of regulatory mechanisms necessary for genetic modification of rice.
The researchers suppose that the transformation of various plants from photosynthesis of class C3 to the class C4 is explained by evolutionary factor, consequently, the task implemented by them is not as tough as it seems to be.
«Owing to predicted population increases and a general trend towards urbanization rice yields need to increase by 50% over the next 35 years. Hope we will be able to solve this problem», Professor Jane Langdale, one of the principals of Investigation stated.
