In the August 11 issue of Nature, scientists comprising the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project (IRGSP) announced that the full genome of the world's number 1 food crop is now sequenced. The genome is expected to provide clues on how the sequence can be useful to accelerate the improvement of rice, and other related crops such as corn, wheat, barley, rye and sorghum.

Robin Buell, lead investigator from The Institute of Genomic Research, says,

"The genetic map will greatly speed the hunt for genes that increase yield, protect against disease and pests, or provide drought-resistance in rice and other cereal crops."

The current report builds on the draft sequences donated by Monsanto and Syngenta to the IRGSP in 2002.

Soon, there will more than rice strains along the league of Golden Rice and Bt Rice. Who will be the potential benefactors? Oh, just about half the world's population.