At this research station in the Philippines, scientists at the International Rice Research Institute are developing GM rice that can tolerate drought, one of the toughest stresses on crops. In the tightly sealed structure, scientists adjust soil moisture and water tension as well as air temperature and humidity to mimic the conditions that rice would face during droughts.

Their goal is to engineer rice strains that can produce high yields despite those conditions. The institute is also working on rice that can tolerate salt water, which affects millions of acres of coastal rice paddies in places like Bangladesh.