Why is golden rice golden?

Golden rice:

1. Golden rice is a GMO (genetically modified organism) produced by genetic engineering with the purpose to synthesize beta-carotene, which is not normally present in rice.
2. It is a biofortified crop.
3. Beta-carotene is a molecule that is converted into vitamin A in the body.
4. The golden color of golden rice is due to the accumulation of provitamin A (beta-carotene) and xanthophylls in the endosperm of golden rice, which is yellow in color.
5. The result of both carotenoid biosynthesis transgenes made use in golden rice, CRTI (bacterial carotene desaturase) and PSY (phytoene synthase) is lycopene, which imparts a red color.