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Science Daily: Fortified Cassava Could Provide A Day's Nutrition In A Single Meal [LINK-ZUM]

Scientists have determined how to fortify the cassava plant, a staple root crop in many developing countries, with enough vitamins, minerals and protein to provide the poor and malnourished with a day's worth of nutrition in a single meal. The researchers have further engineered the cassava plant so it can resist the crop's most damaging viral threats and are refining methods to reduce cyanogens, substances that yield poisonous cyanide if they are not properly removed from the food before consumption. The reduction of cyanogens also can shorten the time it takes to process the plant into food, which typically requires three to six days to complete. Studies also are under way to extend the plant's shelf life so it can be stored or shipped.

[Article continues at link. When was the last time religion did something comparable? Who are held up as heroes of humanity, scientists or clergy? Here is science offering an actual solution to an actual problem. Religion offers imaginary solutions (salvation) to imaginary problems (sin). All praise to the scientists - practical moralists and hands-on philosophers - who are achieving this real-life miracle. - Trevor Blake]

Labels: religion, science

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