Chinese GMO expedited by high food prices

(February 28, 2008) The Chinese government has been hesitant to approve genetically modified rice. Senior scientist Huang Jikun claims that this may change, heralding new attitudes towards GM crops.

On more than two-thirds of Chinese cotton fields, genetically modified strains are grown. Likewise, GM petunias, tomatoes, sweet peppers, papayas and poplars have been approved and display a variety of advantages that include delayed ripening and virus resistance.

Chinese scientists also continue the development of GM maize, rice, soy, wheat and cotton. However, the national government repeatedly has disproved forecasts of approval for the commercial cultivation of GM rice.

Huang Jikun, director of the centre for national agricultural policy at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, speaks nonetheless of a shift. A date for the approval of GM rice remains impossible to predict, but high food prices since 2007 and decreasing areas of arable land may move the government towards fundamental reconsideration of its stance. According to Huang, "The government slogan has now changed to 'regularise oversight' from 'toughen oversight'."

Historically, China has been self-sufficient in the production of grain. In statements to the media at the end of February, GMO advocate Huang indicated the influence of such self-reliance on the national administration: "They have changed their ideas because they see the usefulness of technology for maintaining grains security."

Continuing that "they want technology that can help lower food prices", Huang also mentioned economic influences and his conclusion that "...over the next few years, things will move more quickly." Progress with GM soy, wheat and, particularly, maize remains moderate but may be aided by scientific collaboration between Chinese and overseas institutions.

The majority of Chinese investment to date has been applied to first-generation strains of GM rice and cotton that are tolerant of herbicides or are resistant to pests. "Second-generation" plants, which possess more than a single modification, may be the next step. Such crops already represent more than a third of GMO cultivation in the USA.

See also on GMO Compass:

• China must prove its rice to be GMO free
  (February 13, 2008)

• Genetically modified rice