High-provitamin A cassava

Definition

High-provitamin A cassava is a genetically modified variety of cassava that has been engineered to produce higher levels of beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A. This biofortified plant aims to combat vitamin A deficiency, particularly in regions where cassava is a staple food, contributing to improved nutrition and health outcomes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. High-provitamin A cassava has been developed through genetic engineering techniques, specifically by introducing genes responsible for beta-carotene biosynthesis.
2. The goal of high-provitamin A cassava is to provide a sustainable source of vitamin A for populations that rely heavily on cassava as their main dietary staple.
3. Beta-carotene, found in high-provitamin A cassava, can be converted into retinol (active vitamin A) in the human body, which is essential for various bodily functions, including vision and immune response.
4. The adoption of high-provitamin A cassava can significantly reduce the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in vulnerable populations, especially children and pregnant women.
5. Research shows that the introduction of high-provitamin A cassava can lead to measurable improvements in community health outcomes over time.

Review Questions

• How does high-provitamin A cassava contribute to addressing nutritional deficiencies in regions where cassava is a staple food?
  • High-provitamin A cassava addresses nutritional deficiencies by providing an essential source of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. In regions where people primarily rely on cassava as their main food source, this biofortified crop can significantly improve the overall intake of vitamin A. This is crucial for enhancing public health, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women who are at higher risk of vitamin A deficiency.
• Evaluate the impact of genetic modification in the development of high-provitamin A cassava on agricultural practices and food security.
  • The genetic modification of high-provitamin A cassava represents a shift in agricultural practices by integrating biotechnology into traditional farming systems. This innovation can lead to increased food security by enhancing the nutritional quality of crops that are already widely cultivated. As farmers adopt these genetically modified varieties, they may experience not only improved health outcomes in their communities but also potential economic benefits due to the enhanced marketability of nutrient-rich crops.
• Synthesize information on how high-provitamin A cassava could influence public health policies regarding nutrition and food supplementation programs.
  • High-provitamin A cassava has the potential to significantly influence public health policies focused on nutrition by providing a sustainable solution to vitamin A deficiency. Policymakers could incorporate this biofortified crop into food supplementation programs as an effective strategy to improve community health outcomes. By promoting the cultivation and consumption of high-provitamin A cassava, public health initiatives could facilitate greater access to essential nutrients, reduce reliance on synthetic supplements, and empower local farmers through improved agricultural practices.

Related terms

Biofortification: The process of increasing the nutritional value of food crops through conventional plant breeding or biotechnological methods.

Transgenic plants: Plants that have been genetically modified to contain genes from other organisms, often to enhance specific traits such as disease resistance or nutritional value.

Vitamin A deficiency: A condition resulting from insufficient intake of vitamin A, leading to health issues like vision problems and weakened immune function.