Scientists in Britain have developed a strain of genetically modified rice which they say could reduce vitamin A deficiency and childhood blindness in developing countries.

　　The biotechnology firm Syngenta’s laboratories in Britain has developed a strain of "golden rice" that produces around 20 times as much beta-carotine -- which the body converts to Vitamin A -- as previous varieties, it reported.

　　The World Health Organization estimates that up to 500,000 children go blind each year because of vitamin A deficiency.

　　Syngenta said it is making the new rice strain available for free to research centers across Asia, which will begin field trials if they receive approval from their governments, according to the BBC.

　　An original strain of "golden rice" was developed in Switzerland five years ago, but it did not produce enough beta-carotene to ensure children receive their daily requirement from eating normal quantities of rice, the BBC said.

　　Nor has it been grown in field trials in Asia because of concerns about genetically modified agriculture.

　　Some agricultural experts and environmental groups say a better way to fight vitamin A deficiency is ensuring people get a balanced diet.