ABSTRACT

Over the past 20 years, genetic engineering technologies have contributed significantly towards the improvement of agricultural crops. Plants with engineered resistance against herbicides or insects are used in commercial operations worldwide (James 2000). We are becoming increasingly aware that this technology has the potential to add to the quality and yield of agricultural products, and to solve a range of environmental problems in both developed and also developing countries (Krattiger 1998). New types of genetically-engineered products for human consumption hold the promise to significantly contribute to human health and welfare (Shintani and DellaPenna 1998). The production of "Golden Rice", through genetic

engineering, is just one example to illustrate this point (Guerinot 2000). Golden rice can provide millions of people in India with essential doses of vitamin A and iron, thereby preventing serious diseases.