WANG Yu guang, CAI Jin yang, MA Cai yun, HU Rui fa
Vitamin A deficiency is a serious malnutrition, which can lead to many health problems, especially for women and children in poor areas. In order to cope with this challenge, Ingo Potrykus and Peter Beyer, from Switzerland and Germany respectively, have invented the so called "Golden Rice" through cloning and transfering PSY gene into rice by using modern biotechnology,which is rich in carotene and can effectively supplement the vitamin A of the human body. However, there is a debate about the understanding of the "Golden Rice". The history of the development of "Golden Rice", the scientific effects and social benefits were traced and studied based on scientific literatures from Web of Science. The conclusion shows that the "Golden Rice" is safe and effective, and the earlier the commercialization of "Golden Rice", it will bring the human health and social welfare. However,the whole society needs to overcome some technical and political obstacles or the commercialization of the "Golden Rice" is still far away.