Genetic engineering tool generates antioxidant-rich purple rice

Researchers in China have developed a genetic engineering approach capable of delivering many genes at once and used it to make rice endosperm — seed tissue that provides nutrients to the developing plant embryo — produce high levels of antioxidant-boosting pigments called anthocyanins. The resulting purple endosperm rice holds potential for decreasing the risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic disorders.