The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has collaborated with 2Blades Foundation (2Blades) to bring forth the advancement of world nutrition. To promote global food security, the two international agencies have inked a partnership to advance global food security. This project targets almost 4 billion people who rely on rice for 20% of their daily calorie intake.
Around the world, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) affects more than 1.6 billion individuals. If left untreated, it can cause serious health problems like impaired cognitive development, frail immune system, and higher morbidity. Another health risk arising from rampant hunger is zinc deficiency, which stunts the growth of about 165 million children aged five and below.
According to IRRI, the said agreement will allow their agency to conduct a leading-edge gene-editing technology called Transcription Activator Like (TAL) effector code. The system targets rice genomes to augment iron and zinc in polished rice. IRRI Deputy Director General Jackie Hughes said that their partnership is a “significant step” forward for their research teams. She also said that IRRI will tap scientific advancements to fulfill its commitment of eradicating hunger on a global platform. Furthermore, she also added that projects like their partnership with 2Blade shall “enable our scientists to harness the full power of technology innovations to advance the human condition.”
Through the TAL Code, IRRI will be able to double their efforts in researching rice varieties high in iron and zinc. These rice varieties are also known to be more accessible to micro, small and medium agricultural enterprises. This will impact advanced breeding projects currently undertaken by IRRI.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information , there are about 800 million people in the world who are undernourished. On the other hand, there are about 2 billion people who are diagnosed to having one or more chronic micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs). It also added that these health conditions are connected to about 6% of global mortality and morbidity.
