GMO Rice Tackles Global Warming by Emitting Less Greenhouse Gases

A genetically modified strain of rice may be good for the environment. Scientists have developed a new GMO that produces far less methane than traditional rice, which could help curb the amount of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere. 

The new rice was engineered by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. It's essentially a high-starch, low-methane-emission rice that's capable of producing a strong yield by having smaller roots and bigger grains.

The new plant is equipped with DNA from barley, and emits as little as 1 percent of the methane that normal rice does. Because it also produces significantly higher yield per plant, the rice could also boost food security.

Growing regular rice emits methane-and quite a bit of it. In fact, it's estimated that 25 to 100 million metric tons of methane gas is released each year from growing rice. These estimates are likely to increase as the human population grows and as more rice is planted in order to satisfy the needs of the populace.

"The new rice sounds like a win-win for good yields and reduced climate impact," said Paul West, lead scientist for the Global Landscapes Initiative at the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment in an interview with the Christian Science Monitor.

More research needs to be done on the rice. However, it could be a huge boon in terms of cutting greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, it could help improve food security and bolster food supplies.

Details about the new strain of rice were published in the journal Nature.

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