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Biotech giant Monsanto has made its “golden rice” technology available free
of charge—a decision that could save some of the world’s poorest children
from blindness. Enriched through genetic engineering with vitamin A, the rice
could prevent millions of cases of blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency.
Monsanto will offer researchers in developing countries royalty-free licences to
develop varieties of the rice using the company’s technology. The gesture
follows a similar move in May by another company, the multinational
AstraZeneca.