Using Science to Save a Population

Sorghum is one of the main food sources for people in Sub-Saharan Africa, where this drought- and heat-resistant crop feeds an estimated 300 million and serves as a key source of energy in the diet. The problem with this staple crop is that it is deficient in several micronutrients, most notably, beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A and an important nutrient in eyesight development. It also contains a compound that binds up iron and zinc so that they are not digested, which can ultimately l…