title: The BioCassava plus program: biofortification of cassava for sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: More than 250 million Africans rely on the starchy root crop cassava (Manihot esculenta) as their staple source of calories. A typical cassava-based diet, however, provides less than 30% of the minimum daily requirement for protein and only 10%-20% of that for iron, zinc, and vitamin A. The BioCassava Plus (BC+) program has employed modern biotechnologies intended to improve the health of Africans through the development and delivery of genetically engineered cassava with increased nutrient (zinc, iron, protein, and vitamin A) levels. Additional traits addressed by BioCassava Plus include increased shelf life, reductions in toxic cyanogenic glycosides to safe levels, and resistance to viral disease. The program also provides incentives for the adoption of biofortified cassava. Proof of concept was achieved for each of the target traits. Results from field trials in Puerto Rico, the first confined field trials in Nigeria to use genetically engineered organisms, and ex ante impact analyses support the efficacy of using transgenic strategies for the biofortification of cassava.
authors.affiliation: Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63132, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sayre
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Beeching
authors.forename: Edgar B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Cahoon
authors.forename: Chiedozie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Egesi
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fauquet
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fellman
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fregene
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gruissem
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mallowa
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manary
authors.forename: Bussie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maziya-Dixon
authors.forename: Ada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mbanaso
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Schachtman
authors.forename: Dimuth
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Siritunga
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Herve
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vanderschuren
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D005527:Food, Fortified; D007501:Iron; D002365:Manihot / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D009549:Nigeria; D009570:Nitriles / Q000378:metabolism; D009753:Nutritive Value; D014674:Plant Proteins, Dietary; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011647:Puerto Rico; D014801:Vitamin A; D015032:Zinc
chemical_list: D009570:Nitriles; D014674:Plant Proteins, Dietary; D014801:Vitamin A; C011206:cyanogen; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc