The familiarity of what people consider the norm bring about preferences that are not easily broken. This is one of the initial problems the GMO organizations may face during the introduction of Golden rice in countries suffering from micronutrient deficiencies. People have grown accustomed to the taste, and the appearance of white rice that they have ingested for years. The introduction of a rice that looks different and probably tastes somewhat different is going to require effort. In one of the supplemental documents on the Gold Rice Project website, ‘Biofortification: Empowering and Self-sustaining’, describes the idea that preferences can evolve. The article highlights that if parents are aware of the benefits to their children they are more likely to accept change. Therefore, one way to introduce Golden rice is to provide education to families, emphasizing: why golden rice is beneficial, evidence that it does help with vitamin A deficiency, and most importantly the impact it will have on the well-being of their children as they grow. If these points are clearly depicted in a manner that people can understand, I believe that change will come about. To add I believe if a change occurs starting with the children, it will trickle down to impacting change within the family as a unit. Though there may be some resistance at first, golden rice may just become the new preference with the proper education and collaboration with those that are going to benefit from this biofortified crop.
Question 5 Response-Chanika Dampage Don