GM corn, rice closer to retail shelves
By Alexa Olesen |
February 25, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINESE strains of genetically modified corn and rice that were given safety approvals last year could be ready for sale in China in about three years, a biotechnology researcher said yesterday.
Genetically modified rice that is resistant to certain insects and corn that helps pigs absorb more nutrients were given biosafety certificates by China in November.
That might pave the way for a new wave of GM cultivation in the world's most populous nation.
For the past decade, China has allowed farmers to grow cotton that was engineered to prevent bollworm infestations, but the government has yet to allow genetically modified food staples like rice.
The Chinese government hopes higher-yielding GM crops could ease food shortages and curb the use of polluting fertilizers and pesticides.
Huang Dafang, director of the Biotechnology Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said it would take at least three years for the two strains to be ready for sale in China because field trials must first check the quality and long-term viability of the seeds.
"It will take at least three years to achieve commercialization," Huang told a press conference in Beijing.
Asked to respond to concerns about the possible health risks of the products, Huang insisted they were safe.
"GM rice and phytase maize are as safe as non-GM rice and maize," he said. "They are safe to consume but of course we need to do more public education work and reach more of the population to educate them about this."
Huang said that phytase maize wasengineered to help pigs and chickens absorb more phosphate to help them grow.
It also reduced the amount of polluting phosphate excretedby the animals, he said.
Genetically modified rice that is resistant to certain insects and corn that helps pigs absorb more nutrients were given biosafety certificates by China in November.
That might pave the way for a new wave of GM cultivation in the world's most populous nation.
For the past decade, China has allowed farmers to grow cotton that was engineered to prevent bollworm infestations, but the government has yet to allow genetically modified food staples like rice.
The Chinese government hopes higher-yielding GM crops could ease food shortages and curb the use of polluting fertilizers and pesticides.
Huang Dafang, director of the Biotechnology Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said it would take at least three years for the two strains to be ready for sale in China because field trials must first check the quality and long-term viability of the seeds.
"It will take at least three years to achieve commercialization," Huang told a press conference in Beijing.
Asked to respond to concerns about the possible health risks of the products, Huang insisted they were safe.
"GM rice and phytase maize are as safe as non-GM rice and maize," he said. "They are safe to consume but of course we need to do more public education work and reach more of the population to educate them about this."
Huang said that phytase maize wasengineered to help pigs and chickens absorb more phosphate to help them grow.
It also reduced the amount of polluting phosphate excretedby the animals, he said.
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