Scrumptious Human Rice Modified With Human Genes

Posted on April 23, 2005

The Independent reports that scientists have begun adding human genes to rice in Japan.

Present GM crops are modified with genes from bacteria to make them tolerate herbicides, so that they are not harmed when fields are sprayed to kill weeds. But most of them are only able to deal with a single herbicide, which means that it has to be used over and over again, allowing weeds to build up resistance to it.
But the researchers at the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences in Tsukuba, north of Tokyo, have found that adding the human touch gave the rice immunity to 13 different herbicides. This would mean that weeds could be kept down by constantly changing the chemicals used.

That's good that the rice is now immune to herbicides. But it is far worse now that the rice have human genes. GM products are one thing to consider but Human GM products are a completely different matter. The gene inserted in the rice comes from the human liver so there is a hint of cannibalism in human rice that is quite frightening. It is this kind of irresponsible action that will frighten the public and possibly put the brakes on any potential benefits from therapeutic cloning and stem cell research.

FOOD