Despite Safety Concerns, China Is Turning To Genetic Modification To Boost Crop Yields

The debate in China over the safety of genetically-modified food heated up recently when the Ministry of Agriculture awarded bio-safety certificates to a corn variety and two rice varieties that were genetically modified to resist pest damage. The move makes China the first country to approve GM food staples for field testing. But there remains significant disagreement among government officials and scientists over the question of commercializing GM food, despite the lack of scientific evidence that it is dangerous to humans. There is agreement, however, that ongoing research into human and environmental safety issues, as well as economic security issues, is needed. With food security a high priority, the government is looking closely at gene modification technologies as a way to ensure food supplies keep up with the ever-growing population.