Genetically modified rice in Iran: scientific progress, policy constraints, and prospects for sustainable food...

Iran's rice security faces acute threats from drought, salinity, and pests. A sustained national research program has developed genetically modified (GM) rice to address these challenges. This critical review synthesizes over 15 years of research, applying a systematic literature search and thematic analysis to map the trajectory from gene discovery to field trials. Iranian scientists have demonstrated stable gene integration, successful trait pyramiding, and validated the superior field performance of Bt rice lines, including yield increases and reduced pesticide use with a lower environmental footprint. Despite this readiness, a stark innovation-implementation gap persists due to an inoperative regulatory framework and public skepticism. Contrasting Iran's path with successful models like Bangladesh highlights that scientific achievement alone is insufficient. This study concludes that transforming this potential into tangible benefits for food sovereignty requires enacting functional biosafety regulations and proactive public engagement that reframes domestic GM crops as tools for sustainable intensification.