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“Golden Lettuce” is genetically engineered to have higher beta-carotene levels

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Re: “Golden Lettuce” is genetically engineered to have higher beta-carotene levels

#51

Post by TheRealPomax »

goda90 wrote: post #5
TheRealPomax wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who is "we"? Because that sounds like a highly localized problem specific to the North American continent.

Higher atmospheric CO2 is actually causing this all around the world. Faster, bigger plants with less nutrient density.

Greenhouses in the Netherlands would like a word, which are growing high nutrient crops fast using elevated CO2 concentrations. It's not the rate at which things grow that makes them less nutricious, it's selectively breeding for things that grow faster without bother to also select for "and taste good/have plenty of nutritional value".

This one doesn't get to hide behind global climate change.

Re: “Golden Lettuce” is genetically engineered to have higher beta-carotene levels

#52

Post by JumpCrisscross »

scoofy wrote: post #46
JumpCrisscross wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Taleb’s arguments about limited upside with unlikely, but massive downside of these organisms if they have unexpected outcomes When did Taleb become an expert on bioengineering? Nassim Taleb is the Malcom Gladwell of popular finance. He had to shutter his fund in 2005 after three consecutive years of losses [1]. (In fairness, after a 50+ percent gain in 2000. Nobody lost money on him. But a 4% CAGR over four years…

I mean, this seems entirely sensible if you want to completely ignore the creation of Universa a couple years later: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universa_Investments

Fair enough, I wasn’t aware they had $16bn AUM [1].

[1] https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/146052

Re: “Golden Lettuce” is genetically engineered to have higher beta-carotene levels

#53

Post by zorkso »

Buttons840 wrote: post #10
Buttons840 wrote: post #7

I wanted to say something in favor of sweet potatoes, so did some research: [0] says: The best lettuce has 2.5mg of beta-carotene in 47g of lettuce. The best sweet potato has 31mg of beta-carotene in 328g of sweet potato (sweet potatoes are the beta-carotene leader BTW :strong:). If this modified lettuce can really have 30 times as much beta-carotene, that's a significant amount. I was expecting the numbers to show t…

Oh, also, if you want a stupidly easy way to eat sweet potatoes, cut one up into bite sized chunks and cook it at 350 fahrenheit for 45 minutes or longer (it won't burn easily at that temperature). No need to remove the skin, but wash it first. They aren't bad even plain. This is an easy no-preperation-necessary to get at least 1 veggie.

My go to recipe from the past few years: 1. preheat over to 400° 2. cut the potato in half long ways 3. put it on a baking sheet cut side down. no oil, no foil 4. bake for around 40 min or until a knife goes through smoothly 5. peel the skin off and eat

it's a nice mushy texture that works as a base or add on for bowl style meals and takes moments to prepare and get in the oven. I usually throw it into an almost cold oven and just add 5 min to the cook time.

Re: “Golden Lettuce” is genetically engineered to have higher beta-carotene levels

#54

Post by josefritzishere »

Buttons840 wrote: post #10
Buttons840 wrote: post #7

I wanted to say something in favor of sweet potatoes, so did some research: [0] says: The best lettuce has 2.5mg of beta-carotene in 47g of lettuce. The best sweet potato has 31mg of beta-carotene in 328g of sweet potato (sweet potatoes are the beta-carotene leader BTW :strong:). If this modified lettuce can really have 30 times as much beta-carotene, that's a significant amount. I was expecting the numbers to show t…

Oh, also, if you want a stupidly easy way to eat sweet potatoes, cut one up into bite sized chunks and cook it at 350 fahrenheit for 45 minutes or longer (it won't burn easily at that temperature). No need to remove the skin, but wash it first. They aren't bad even plain. This is an easy no-preperation-necessary to get at least 1 veggie.

I came for the genetics but stayed for the recipes.

Re: “Golden Lettuce” is genetically engineered to have higher beta-carotene levels

#55

Post by tourmalinetaco »

throwway120385 wrote: post #26
tourmalinetaco wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Growing salad greens is probably one of the best things one can do for themselves. Why spend $5 for a pound of salad greens when you can buy 2-3lbs of seeds for that price? Which, speaking of, cheapest I’ve found for bulk seeds are GreenCover, does anyone know of any other companies selling that cheap?

Where I live it's a full time job to keep the deer from eating a garden.

Same, which is why ya grow stuff like baby greens in your shed. Larger crops require you get more creative of course, but hiding away smaller ones is doable at least.

Re: “Golden Lettuce” is genetically engineered to have higher beta-carotene levels

#56

Post by pvaldes »

Golden lettuce is an anti-evolutive move. As a new product can be successful, but I predict that It will need an obligatory supply of chemicals on its production. Probably more chemicals than the green lettuce. The benefits as healthy food will be a balance between the carotene plus the other parts in the equation. Should be treated as a cold season product at least.

As a fancy product provides a new color in the market and can bring the company a lot of money (I'm not against that as long as is grow accurately) but IMO must be cleaned thoroughly by the consumer.

Re: “Golden Lettuce” is genetically engineered to have higher beta-carotene levels

#57

Post by Modified3019 »

I’m not up for making a thorough post about it right now, but one thing to be aware of is that beta carotene converts to vitamin A at rates that range from abysmal (single digit percentages or less) to barely adequate depending on personal factors like genetics.

I’ve also come across indication that beta carotene byproducts can potentially inhibit vitamin A use (also likely connected with personal genetics), throwing another wrench into the works.

Basically I do not recommend naively conflating carotenoid intake with vitamin A intake, especially in regards to populations vulnerable to malnutrition. For me and most of you reading this however the difference is not much of consequence.

Re: “Golden Lettuce” is genetically engineered to have higher beta-carotene levels

#60

Post by aitchnyu »

gadflyinyoureye wrote: post #4
everyone wrote: post #2

This is a good idea imo. Cus we grow vegetables so big and fast nowadays they end with with less nutrients in them by volume.

A large part of the problem in the us is soil depletion. We need to regenerate it by allowing roots of various weeds to pull nutrients up to the surface.

This makes me scratch my head. Can you share the science?
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