Potatoes in Canada

Features Agronomy Traits and Genetics
Genetically modified potato can help fight vitamin A deficiency

Those suffering from malnutrition in the global south could soon find help from an unlikely source: a humble potato, genetically tweaked to provide substantial doses of vitamins A and E, both crucial nutrients for health.

December 19, 2017  By Lucy Jordan Seeker.com


Dubbed the “golden potato,” boosted levels of provitamin A carotenoids — which are found naturally in carrots and sweet potatoes — give the new tuber its yellow-orange flesh, and are converted into vitamin A by digestive enzymes when eaten.

But while foods with genetic tweaks to make them more commercially successful by increasing yield or longevity are relatively common, these vitamin-enriched staples have yet to be grown commercially. | READ MORE

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