Experts call for the industrialization of GM rice and corn: Ministry of Agriculture: boldly researched but cautiously promoted

On October 17th, 19 biotechnological scientists from 10 countries, including Zhu Xi, expressed their consensus on the above-mentioned global transgenic conference and expressed their attitude of "reversing." Consensus stated that all scientific evidence shows that the genetic modification method used for specific crop improvement does not have any negative effects on humans and animals. Since the large-scale commercialization of genetically modified crops for 18 years, hundreds of millions of people and billions of livestock have long-term consumption of genetically modified crops. They have not found that genetically modified foods cause diseases or other problems.

The GM food debate in 2014 was very rampant. From the "transgenic debate between Fang Zhouzi and Cui Yongyuan on the courtroom", more experts and public knowledge are now joining in, and the sensational brushing screen in the circle of friends is still strong. We can easily see that Most consumers still have doubts about the safety of genetically modified foods. At the International Symposium on the Development Status and Future Prospects of Global Genetically Modified Crops in Wuhan last week, experts and scholars from all over the world discussed the development status and future development trends of genetically modified crops, and responded to the relevant debate.

At present, only large-scale planting of genetically modified cotton in China

Last week, during the International Symposium on the Development Status and Future Prospects of Global Genetically Modified Crops, the data released by the Agricultural Genetically Modified Organism Safety Management Office of the Ministry of Agriculture showed that: China has genetically modified insect-resistant cotton, resistant storage of tomatoes, change of flower petunia flowers, resistance Virus bell pepper, anti-virus papaya, insect-resistant rice, phytase corn, insect-resistant poplar, anti-virus papaya and other transgenic plants, as well as genetic engineering vaccines against bird flu and other products have obtained safety certificates, but large-scale commercialization The only genetically modified crop planted is cotton. Currently there are small-scale planting and sales of transgenic papaya on the market.

In addition, China's imports have approved the import of genetically modified soybeans, corn, and rapeseed, but these products can only be used for food and feed processing and have not been allowed to grow. According to Zhu Xi, a researcher at the Institute of Genetics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, about 20 genetically modified crop varieties have been developed in China, but “the current environment for the industrialization of genetically modified crops in China is too harsh, making it difficult for management departments to make decisions and promote the industrialization process”.

19 biologists reached consensus to support genetically modified safety

On October 17th, 19 biotechnological scientists from 10 countries, including Zhu Xi, expressed their consensus on the above-mentioned global transgenic conference and expressed their attitude of "reversing." Consensus stated that the application of genetically modified crops will reduce the use of pesticides, increase biodiversity, increase yields and thus reduce the pressure on the use of arable land, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure food security and promote sustainable agricultural development; all scientific evidence is displayed The transgenic methods used for specific crop improvement do not have any negative effects on humans and animals. Since the large-scale commercialization of genetically modified crops for 18 years, hundreds of millions of people and billions of livestock have long-term consumption of genetically modified crops. They have not found that genetically modified foods cause diseases or other problems.

The last consensus is for China. “China’s large-scale promotion of transgenic insect-resistant cotton has achieved tremendous economic and social benefits. Transgenic insect-resistant rice and transgenic phytase corn have received national safety certificates. It is recommended that the Chinese government seize the opportunity to develop GM rice and corn industrialization as soon as possible. The agenda, to promote production and application.” Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, former president of Peking University, biologist Xu Zhihong on behalf of 19 scientists published the above consensus. Xu Zhihong told the Beijing News reporter after the meeting that this consensus will be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and hopes to advance the Chinese government's decision on the issue of genetically modified rice and corn industrialization.

The former Director of the Institute of Biotechnology of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Huang Dazhao, a researcher at the "Genetic and Technology Conference on Transgenic Technologies and Sustainable Development" held on October 14th, revealed that the level of genetic research in China and the world advanced level have narrowed, especially Before and after the year 2000, it can be said that it has reached the forefront of the international community, but the gap between these years has widened. "If the international food prices rise, or if domestic food is affected, the consequences will be disastrous."

With regard to the increasingly loud voice of “reversing” people and the protests that “reversals” have never stopped, the Director of the Division of Genetics and Biosafety Management and Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ruan Jianping, reiterated here that the strategy for the development of genetically modified technologies in China is still It is bold research, independent innovation, and careful promotion to ensure safety.

Common sense literacy

What is genetically modified technology?

Genes are the smallest fragments of genetic traits. Transgenic technology is the artificial ex vivo operation of genes. The specific definitions of countries vary. In some countries, gene transfer in the same species (for example, from wheat to wheat, from rape to rape) is not considered a genetically modified technology. However, in our country, regardless of the species inside or outside, as long as the genes of an organism are artificially ex vivo, they must be managed in accordance with the safety regulations of genetically modified organisms.

What is genetically modified food?

All imported raw materials, or genetically modified agricultural products that are approved for planting in China and directly processed foods, are genetically modified foods. Using GM foods, foods derived from deep processing are not GM foods. Because during the reprocessing process, the genetically modified components, both genes and proteins, have become denatured and do not exist in physical form. For example, soybeans are genetically modified. Soybean meal is genetically modified. However, pigs that have eaten genetically modified soybean cakes, sausages made from pork, and fried fritters that people use to eat genetically modified soybeans are not genetically modified foods.

If we refuse to use genetically modified foods, will there be no genetic modification in our lives?

Transgenic has been widely used in various fields related to public life. In the pharmaceutical field, most of the insulin, interferon, and vaccines currently produced are produced by transgenic technology. At present, microbes used by humans are basically genetically modified, and the microbial food industry is also widely used. We also drink brewer's yeast. Some cosmetic enzymes are produced by genetically modified technology; environmental degradation and bio-energy use also have applications for genetic modification.

Hot focus

On October 17th, at the seminar on genetic reporting for national media reporters held at the same time as the Global Genetically Modified Symposium, Mou Jianping, Director of Division of Safety Management and Intellectual Property of Genetics and Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture, also referred to “Transmissionists” and “Reversals”. Answer questions that focus on common concerns.

Focus 1

The status quo in China determines the development of transgenic technology

Q: China's current supply of agricultural products is sufficient. Does the government not say that grain output has increased "ten in a row"? Why do we still need to develop genetically modified crops?

Lou Jianping: Everyone in our country is aware of the fact that there are more people and less land. Under such circumstances, it is impossible for China's food supply to rely on itself. Now, our country’s food strategy is to achieve self-sufficiency in staple foods (rice, wheat, and corn) and rations, and to “end their jobs in their own hands,” and then food security. China is a large importer of food, such as soybeans, and imports more than 60 million tons a year now. However, even if we import so many foodstuffs, the agricultural situation facing us is still grim. In particular, the yield per unit of soybeans and corn is one third that of the United States that has already implemented the industrialization of genetically modified soybeans and fishermen. At the same time, we did not have reserve arable land. The land that can now be planted is basically planted, and the land that cannot be planted is almost reclaimed.

Under these severe circumstances, no matter how controversial the GM technology is, it will also develop rapidly in the course of the dispute.

Focus 2

No Excessive Planting of Genetically Modified Crops in China

Q: According to media reports recently, supermarkets in Wuhan have randomly picked up five bags of rice. The test found that three bags contain genetically modified ingredients. Prior to this, Cui Yongyuan also repeatedly stated that there are serious problems with “stealing” and “unpromising” genetically modified rice in China, but the agricultural sector lacks supervision. Is this the case?

Jianping Jian: There is no problem of “excessive planting” of genetically modified crops in China. In 2001, the State Council promulgated the "Regulations on the Safety Management of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms." Since then, strict regulations have been imposed on the safety evaluation, planting approval and supervision of genetically modified crops. To conduct commercial planting of a GM crop, it is first necessary to follow the "Regulations" to obtain the safety evaluation of the National Agricultural Genetically Modified Organism Safety Committee and obtain a safety certificate. This safety committee is composed of dozens of authoritative experts engaged in the research, production, processing, inspection and quarantine, health, and environmental protection of agricultural genetically modified organisms, and is regularly reelected.

Therefore, research and trials of all genetically modified crops in China are conducted under strict supervision. Even if the genetically modified crops with safety certificates are obtained, they must be certified in accordance with the requirements of the “Seed Law of the People's Republic of China” and must be approved for production and operation after the seeds have been planted.

In terms of plant management, China has carried out inspections on the safety inspection of genetically modified crops every year. All provinces have GM crop supervision offices in accordance with the principle of localization. For newly planted local crop varieties, genetically modified components are tested at all stages of the trial and certification process. Illegal cultivation of genetically modified crops was found together and investigated together.

In addition, there are regular sampling inspections in the seed market in China, and there is no outflow of genetically modified crop seeds. Therefore, the overall situation of the cultivation of genetically modified crops in China is now controllable, and there is no problem of “excessive planting”. It is reported that GM rice in Wuhan supermarket accounts for 3/5, which is basically impossible.