Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, June 18 — (Reporter Wang Meng, Zhang Zhilong) Every time the topic of genetically modified (GM) organisms comes up, it stirs public concern. Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China approved three GM soybean import safety certificates, reigniting widespread public debate.
The controversy surrounding GM technology has a long history. According to interviews with experts, academic discussions on genetic modification in China have been ongoing for years, with clear divisions between supporters and opponents. While the government maintains a strict ban on the planting of genetically modified crops, it has gradually started approving GM products for food and feed processing, similar to the approach taken by the United States, the European Union, and Japan.
Dong Yingshan, a member of the National Team of Genetically Modified Technology Experts and Deputy Dean of the Jilin Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences, explained that GM technology involves using biotechnology to isolate a gene from one organism and insert it into another, enabling new functions. Unlike hybridization, which is limited to species within the same family, transgenic technology allows genes to be transferred across completely different species. For example, insect-resistant plants can incorporate the “BT gene†from bacteria, allowing them to produce their own insecticidal properties.
In 2011, a major domestic controversy over genetic modification erupted, centered around reports of illegal GM crop cultivation and the widely known corn variety “Xiyu 335†in the northeast. Some media claimed that GM corn led to mouse extinction, sows aborting, and stillbirths, but no scientific evidence linked these incidents to genetic modification. Critics argue that some individuals and groups have used fear-based rhetoric, such as “genetically modified foods will harm future generations,†to oppose the adoption of GM technology.
Experts note that while many countries, including the U.S., Europe, and Japan, have approved GM soybeans for decades, debates over their safety persist globally. In China, although GM crops are not grown on a large scale, there have been reports of unauthorized planting. However, according to Dong Yingshan, these cases were actually small-scale trials conducted by local agricultural departments in designated experimental zones, not large-scale commercial operations.
Some experts believe the public's heightened sensitivity stems from a lack of transparency in GM research and policy communication. In fact, China began importing GM soybeans as early as 2004, and they have since entered the market through soybean oil. According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), in 2012, about 81% of global soybean production was genetically modified, with traditional soybeans becoming increasingly rare worldwide.
Despite this, concerns remain. Liu Qi, a resident of Changchun, noted that while he often sees labels like “Northeast soybeans†in stores, many products now carry labels stating “genetically modified raw materials.†As an ordinary citizen, he wants to know whether GM foods are safe for adults and children. He also expressed indifference to the origin or production method of the food he consumes, as long as it is safe.
Some unnamed agricultural experts suggested that if GM soybean imports are liberalized without allowing domestic cultivation, the public might assume that GM soybeans are harmless when imported but dangerous when grown locally.
During the interview, it became clear that the Chinese government takes a cautious approach toward the commercial planting of GM food crops. While the Ministry of Agriculture promotes GM technology and even features expert opinions supporting it, it consistently emphasizes that no GM food crops have been approved for commercial cultivation, and the process remains highly regulated.
Experts agree that more needs to be done to improve the development of GM technology and the approval process, especially regarding the public’s right to information. One expert told reporters: “You have to tell everyone what genetic modification is and why it matters.â€
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