[3pt14159]

You are using a logical fallacy in your argument.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_dilemma

Should we work towards ending world wide poverty? Yes.

In the meantime, just like Canada added iodine to salt to prevent a whole host of diseases at the turn of the 20th century, so to can we add things like vitamins to very basic foodstuffs for the third world.

> Why not just give these people carrots?

Because that is extremely costly, difficult, and destroys local agriculture and has a host of other negative externalities. Furthermore many people are too proud to take a handout, but selling their farmers better grains is achievable.

[astazangasta]

It isn't costly at all. We can feed everyone on earth for a few paltry billion; food is not expensive. We choose not to. Golden rice has its own technical hurdles and is only solving a single nutritional problem.