A. Such rice could help alleviate a vitamin deficiency that blinds and kills millions of people each year. Developed by public sector scientists in Switzerland and Germany, the rice seed is to be given free to poor farmers in developing countries. BUT some critics have denounced golden rice as a Trojan horse aimed at winning acceptance of genetically engineered food. They say that solving just one vitamin deficiency won't make much difference for children who suffer from multiple nutrition problems. They also say there are other ways of providing vitamin A, like vitamin capsules or unpolished rice.
Some proponents agree that it is unclear how much vitamin A the rice can provide.