Add this to the growing list of Freaky Things To Worry About Eating: Rice that's been genetically modified with human genes. That's right -- human genes. Human genes that are specifically designed to produce breast milk and saliva.

I kid you not. It's all right here in this Washington Post story and this BBC article.

The United States Department of Agriculture has granted preliminary approval allowing a bioscience company to splice in human genes into rice, in order to create pharmaceutical rice. They want to establish fields in Kansas. Further details about the company and their proposal are on the USDA website.

This rice would ultimately help create anti-diarrheal medicine that could be added to yogurt and granola bars. The rice contains genes that have anti-bacterial properties made by breast milk and saliva. (Yummy! In our yogurt!)

Much like the start of any decent sci-fi movie, scientists are quick to assure us that the human+rice seeds will never mix with regular old rice seeds. No one wants human+rice -- or any of the various possible mutations -- to enter the food chain.

But critics (by that, I think I mean those of us who don't want human DNA in our California rolls) remain skeptical; one big gust of wind or a small human error could spell trouble.

Said a spokesperson at the U.S. Center for Food Safety: "I'm really concerned about this, because I think firstly there is potential for this rice to get into the food supply, and secondly it hasn't been tested."

I have to admit: I never once imagined that I might one day fear a simple bowl of rice. But then, I also never imagined that eating a simple bowl of rice might inadvertently turn me into a cannibal of sorts, even if it's a pretty minor way.

Meanwhile, I hope some Hollywood screenwriter has grasped the potential of "scary rice," and is busy turning the concept into a future summer blockbuster.