A genetically modified corn has been produced in an attempt to combat worldwide problem of vitamin deficiency.

Somewhere between 40 and 50% of the world’s population is suffering from diseases caused by a lack of minerals and vitamins, say Paul Christou, of the University of Lleida in Spain, and his colleagues. In response they have created a corn with enhanced levels of three compounds: the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin B9.

“In assessing strategies to deal with micronutrient deficiency, the provision of a varied diet with fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish would be ideal,” the researchers write in PNAS. “However, where this varied diet is impossible because of poverty and poor governance, super-enhanced, nutritionally complete cereals could provide a durable solution to improve the health and general well-being of impoverished populations.”

Previous vitamin enhanced plants have had increased levels of only one compound, meaning only one problem would be solved. The new Christou-corn potentially opens the door to magic-maize that could help improve health more generally.

“Our research is humanitarian in nature and targets impoverished people in developing countries. This specific project is targeted towards sub-Saharan Africa,” Christou told the BBC. “Our funding is exclusively from public sources so we are not encumbered by any commercial constraints.”

Gary Toenniessen, of the Rockefeller Foundation in New York, warns that many countries in Africa where the crop might be useful don’t have procedures in place to approve and evaluate GM crops and several countries have outright banned them (AP).

Another expert who spoke to AP was more positive. “I could see this transforming the field. It’s just really cool stuff,” said Martina Newell-McGloughlin of UC Davis.

Image: National Academy of Sciences, PNAS