Approach GM food carefully

The Ministry of Agriculture recently issued bio-safety certificates to three new overseas varieties of genetically modified (GM) soybeans, sparking a controversy. But the agricultural authorities' move is not as bad as it is made out to be, says an article in Beijing Youth Daily. Excerpts:

This is not the first time that China has allowed the import of GM soybeans - the first was in 1998. This time, the Ministry of Agriculture has just added three new varieties to the GM soybean import list to ensure a better mix of varieties to reduce risks.

According to official documents, imported GM soybeans in China are mainly used as raw materials to process oil, for example, rather than for direct consumption by humans. But since there is a possibility that unscrupulous traders may use GM soybeans to make bean products, the authorities have to strengthen supervision on imported GM soybeans to eliminate the risk.

The import of large amounts of GM soybeans has enabled China to use its limited arable land to grow other food products in order to ensure food security. In recent years, the news of heavy metal pollution in major rice-producing areas of South China has pushed up the demand for rice from Northeast China, which incidentally used to be the main soybean-producing area. Protecting the safety of domestic rice is part of the government's measures to ensure food security.

Moreover, China is importing GM soybeans, not GM soybean seeds. That means GM soybean crops will not be grown in China, which rules out the possibility of environmental damage.

But given the general global opposition to transgenic food technology on health and environmental grounds, China should adopt a careful approach to commercial production of GM crops. After all, food safety (and security) tops the agenda of a populous country like China.

Educate public on GM food

The Ministry of Agriculture has triggered a public debate by approving the import of three varieties of genetically modified (GM) soybeans. Although ministry officials claim the review and approval processes were in accordance with the food safety assessment law, people remain skeptical about the decision because of lack of proper knowledge about GM food, says an article in Qianjiang Evening News. Excerpts:

People in general are ignorant, or not well informed, about GM food. And since the authorities have approved the import of GM food, they have the responsibility of informing the public about its pros and cons.

GM food has been in China for years, so has public doubt about its safety. The Ministry of Agriculture may need to seek other ministries' and departments' help to promote popular science among the public so that it understands what GM food exactly is.

The controversy over GM crops is not confined to China; it is a global reality. Yuan Longping, the "father of hybrid rice", said we need to actively promote research in GM crops and to be prudent in practice. But since the impact of GM food on the future generations is yet to be known - and given the public concern over GM food - a mere announcement of food review by the Ministry of Agriculture cannot remove people's doubts.

To ensure people that GM food is safe, the authorities need to publicize the process of approval, places of origin of the GM crops, and the results of the tests on humans and environment.

Besides, people should be the ones to decide whether they want to buy GM products or not, which they can do only if the decision-making process of the authorities is transparent and GM food is properly labeled.

(China Daily USA 07/02/2013 page12)