Imported genetically modified foods should still be careful

According to several media reports, more than 60,000 tons of US GM rice imported by COFCO arrived in Shenzhen. Between now and September, more than 300,000 tons of genetically modified corn (1971, 2.00, 0.10%) are expected to enter China. On July 30th, the National Development and Reform Commission explained the problem of large quantities of imported GM maize in China. At present, imported corn is only used for feed, and the processing enterprise is determined in advance, and it is fully enclosed and will not cause harm to domestic agricultural production and food safety. However, people still cannot worry about food safety issues. This issue of "Viewpoint 1+1" invited Jiang Gaoming, chief researcher of the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, to analyze and comment on this issue.

Moderator: Wu Xiaofeng, Legal Weekend Reporter

Guest: Jiang Gaoming Principal Researcher, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Moderator: Just a short time ago when the media vehemently disputed the Ministry of Agriculture's issue of licensing GM rice, China imported large quantities of genetically modified corn from the United States. The fact that GM foods are driven straight into China because of their low prices is really not a good thing for us as a large agricultural country.

Jiang Gaoming: The aquaculture industry is China’s large grain consumer. Currently, China has nearly 1.4 billion people and hundreds of millions of livestock, of which only raising pigs consumes more than 100 million tons of grain each year (mainly corn), accounting for China’s grain supply. 20% of total production. Farmers need cattle for their cattle, chickens, ducks, geese, and fish. The market demand is the external conditions for this large import of genetically modified corn.

In the international market, only the United States and other state-owned corn are surplus. However, due to national conditions, the United States has a severe shortage of labor force. In order to increase labor efficiency, most of the corn they produce is genetically modified corn. This is the basic reason why China currently imports large quantities of genetically modified corn.

Moderator: At present, western countries including the United States have not relaxed their alertness on genetically modified foods. No scientist can guarantee that genetically modified foods pose no harm to human health, or that its potential threat to human beings is our present Unable to recognize.

Jiang Gaoming: The biggest controversy over transgenic crops in the world is the lack of trust in this artificially altered food. Those genetically modified scientists made a pledge on the chest that when crops were genetically modified, they could reduce the amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and later proved to be scams. The production of GM crops induces “super pests”, “super weeds”, major pests of secondary pests, genetic pollution, soil contamination due to excessive use of specific herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers, and degradation of cultivated land. This is supported by GM technology. None of them can avoid the real issue.

As for the harm to human health, animals can only be used as experimental subjects. More and more animal experiments have shown that transgenic foods are harmful to experimental animals. Experiments with mice in Russia, for example, have confirmed that the mice fed the GM diet had no fertility after 2 to 3 generations, and they found that the fertility of the surviving mice was extremely high or the fetus was malformed.

In view of this, U.S. doctors warn patients to stay away from genetically modified foods. Not long ago, in the United States, 200,000 people called on the Ministry of Agriculture to ban the use of genetically modified alfalfa for feed. In March this year, the US Food and Drug Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture were forced to recall large quantities of foods suspected of genetically modified ingredients (additives). Americans have refused to genetically modify even the herbivore's pasture. This shows that there is much doubt about the safety of genetically modified technology in the world.

Moderator: China's approval of large-scale imports of GM corn in the United States this time, although it is emphasized that this is only for feed, and after a rigorous review and inspection, the problem does not seem so simple. In addition to the possible real dangers, it also indirectly reflects our attitude towards GM foods. Americans regarded themselves as blasphemous genetically modified foods. However, we opened the door to it. This kind of shortsightedness is no longer a matter of simple economic and trade issues, but it is a matter of great importance for the future of the Chinese nation.

Jiang Gaoming: Although the relevant authorities emphasized that the GM corn imported from China is only allowed to be used for feed processing and it is completely closed. Imported corn must not only be subject to strict scrutiny and inspection by the agricultural and inspection and quarantine departments, but also stored under its supervision. Transportation and fixed-point processing, processing of the remaining waste must be destroyed, and strictly prohibit the circulation of raw grains in the market. Such requirements are difficult to achieve. The potential danger is that GM foods enter the food chain and directly serve as human staple foods or raw materials for food processing.

The U.S. GM soybeans (4007, 7.00, and 0.18%) have entered China for many years. Now they are importing large quantities of genetically modified corn. They will also have to promote GM rice in the future. How do they expect the people of the Agricultural Inspection and Quarantine Bureau to have health for all? Security escort? Moreover, even as a feed, animal products that eat genetically modified corn, such as meat, eggs, and milk, are contaminated with genetically modified components. If GM corn in the market is cheaper than non-GM maize, we will import large quantities of this food and it will be possible to directly enter people’s food. The risk should not be discounted.

Moderator: As a big country in agriculture, China's grain production has always been in a state of steady growth. We do not lack food, and we must not give green light to GM crops because of their cheapness.

Jiang Gaoming: China should strictly monitor and gradually stop the import of genetically modified foods. At present, there are more than 20 varieties of genetically modified corn in the world, and China is allowed to import 11 of them. This condition is too broad. China should refuse to import genetically modified food on the grounds of protecting the health of its citizens. Americans spend Chinese money to develop genetically modified crops, in turn suppressing China's non-genetically modified grain production, and exporting large quantities of genetically modified soybeans to China, thus destroying China's indigenous soybean industry. This lesson is in sight.

At present, about 47 species of transgenic plants are being researched and developed in China. Our enthusiasm and even out-of-control situation of transgenic plants are extremely dangerous. We cannot sacrifice national interests for the benefit of a few scientists. The factors that determine food production are not genetically modified. The Chinese government must attach great importance to the importance of food production sovereignty. It is the best policy to vigorously develop ecological recycling agriculture and improve the enthusiasm of farmers to grow grain. A large number of imported genetically modified foods that are seriously controversial are tantamount to "drinking water."