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DR. INGO POTRYKUS World-renowned scientist Ingo Potrykus is known for his invention of the beta-carotene-enriched “golden rice.” Golden rice was produced using gene-transfer technologies, and could help overcome vitamin A deficiencies in parts of the world where rice is a staple of the diet. Beta carotene is converted to vitamin A after human consumption. Golden rice is believed to be an excellent example of how genetic engineering of plants can be of direct benefit to the consumer, especially the poor in developing countries. Born in Hirschberg, Germany, Dr. Potrykus studied Zoology, Botany, Genetics, Biochemistry, Philiosophy, and Physical Education at Universities in Cologne and Erlangen. In 1968, he obtained his PhD in Plant Genetics at the Max-Planck-Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne, Germany. Before joining the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology's Institute of Plant Sciences, where he was a professor from 1987 and 1999, Dr. Potrykus worked as an Assistant Professor for the Institute of Plant Physiology at the University of Hohenheim,Germany from 1974-1976. He was also a research leader at the Max-Planck Institute for Plant Genetics (Germany) from 1974-1976, and established plant genetic-engineering programs at the Friedrich Miescher Institute in Basel, Switzerland. Currently, he is a professor emeritus of plant sciences with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Zurich. Dr. Potrykus has also applied genetic engineering technology to other food crops, such as wheat, sorghum, and cassava. He has also worked in the areas of plant disease and pest resistance, improved food quality, and increased yield. Among many honors he received were the Kumho Science International Award in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (2000), the American Society of Plant Biologists' Leadership in Science Public Service Award, the Crop Science of America President's Award, and the European Culture Award in Science. He has also received an honorary doctorate from Sweden's University of Agricultural Sciences. Potrykus is a member of Academia Europaea, the World Technology Network, and the Swiss Academy of Technical Sciences. He has authored over 300 publications in refereed journals and obtained 30 international patents. Since his retirement in 1999, Dr. Potrykus has devoted his energy to guiding Golden Rice towards subsistence farmers across the many hurdles of a GMO-crop. He has also established collaboration with 14 rice institutions in India, China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Philippines. |
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