From a project page on genetic alteration of rice to improve third-world nutrition:
http://dragon.zoo.utoronto.ca/~J02T0101A/nutrition.htm
Iron rich rice could be on its way very shortly. Researchers are focusing on three different transgenes to solve the iron deficiency problem (11).
* Gene encoding the phytase enzyme that breaks down phytate; a molecule that prevents absorption of the ingested iron by binding to iron in the gut.
* Gene encoding for a cysteine rich protein which helps iron absorption in the gut.
* Gene encoding the protein ferritin that stores iron in the rice grains.
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Apparently 'phytate' is present in most or all of the grains that people eat, but either the phytate content of rice is very high or it's harder to properly seperate the phytate from the rest of the grain (milling to remove the husk) because iron deficiency is a big problem in the regions of the world where rice is eaten as the bulk of the diet. Yet vegetarians elsewhere in the world who live only on grains & vegetables don't (necessarily) have iron deficiency problems. So it's not necessarily lack of meat that leads to iron deficiency.
[ March 09, 2004, 05:18: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]
Re: Soy Bad?
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