Beijing, China
February 8, 2010
Source: SciDev.Net
by Chen Weixiao
China wants to push forward with the large-scale planting of genetically modified (GM) crops, according to its first policy document of the year.
Pest-resistant Bt cotton is already grown on an industrial scale in China.
Bt rice and phytase maize — which eliminates the need to feed extra phosphate to poultry and pigs — will now follow suit within 3–5 years, predicted Huang Dafang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences' Biotechnology Research Institute (see GM corn 'improves animal feed, cuts pollution').
This year's "Number One Document", a publication issued annually by both the ruling Communist Party and State Council and which sets the agenda for that year's major work, was published last month (31 January). It said that China will "industrialise" GM crop farming.
This is the seventh such document since 2004 to have concentrated on agricultural development.
Huang told SciDev.Net that the document is "the continuation of a series of policies" and has been influenced by global circumstances such as the financial crisis and the trend towards developing GM crops.
The development of new GM crops is one of the 16 major projects listed in China's plan for scientific and technological development until 2020 (see China redraws blueprint for scientific development). The government's plans include the development of pest- and disease-resistant GM rice, rapeseed, maize and soy, with research focusing on yield, quality, nutritional value and drought tolerance.
"To develop GM crops is the inevitable choice for developing countries to protect their food and ecological security," said Huang.
But Xue Dayuan, chief biodiversity scientist at the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science under the Ministry of Environmental Protection, told SciDev.Net that the science, management and enforcement of legislation regarding GM crops in China are weak, increasing the chances of risk-taking.
And Fang Lifeng, director of Greenpeace China's Food and Agriculture Project, said: "It's too early to industrialise GM crops in China. The safety of GM food and its impact on the environment are still uncertain and there are disputes over intellectual property rights".
But Huang said: "The development of any technology is not plain sailing. We won't stop because of being challenged".
"We will carry out deeper studies to avoid potential risks. China should build an independent GM crops research and development system to seize the market initiative."
China's Ministry of Agriculture granted two biosafety certificates approving Bt rice and phytase maize in November 2009 (see China makes 'landmark' GM food crop approval).
中国决定推进转基因作物产业化
北京]中国今年出台的中央一号文件指出，将推进转基因作物的大规模生产。目前，抗虫害转基因棉花已经在中国实现产业化。
中国农科院生物技术研究所研究员黄大昉表示，转基因水稻和转植酸酶基因玉米也将在未来3到5年内实现产业化，转植酸酶基因玉米可以帮助农场动物更好地消化磷，促进其生长，而减少磷的污染（见 转基因玉米“改善牲畜饲料，削减污染” ）。
中共中央、国务院每年颁发一号文件，确定当年的工作重点。今年的一号文件在上个月底(1月31日)出台，文件明确指出将“推进转基因新产品的产业化”。这是自2004年以来，关注农业发展问题的第7个中央一号文件。
黄大昉告诉本网站，提出要推进转基因新产品产业化并不新颖，这是中国过去一系列政策的延续。受去年全球经济危机的影响，中国农业也正在进行大调整，而转基因技术是大势所趋。
“转基因生物新品种培育”是中国《国家中长期科学和技术发展规划纲要（2006——2020）》16个重大专项中的一个（见 中国重组科技发展路 农业科技将获益）。中国政府计划发展抗虫害、抗病转基因水稻、油菜籽、玉米和大豆，相关的研究主要致力于提高作物的产量、质量、营养价值和抗旱性。
“发展转基因作物是保护发展中国家粮食和生态安全的必然选择。”黄大昉说。
然而，环境保护部南京环境科学研究所研究员、生物多样性保护研究首席专家薛达元告诉本网站，目前中国有关转基因作物的科学评估管理能力和执法力度都较弱，这会增加相关的风险性。
绿色和平组织北京办事处农业项目负责人方立锋说，“中国现在进行转基因作物的产业化，条件还不成熟。转基因粮食的安全性，种植转基因作物对环境的影响都还不清楚，另外还有就是关于转基因水稻专利的争论。”
但是黄大昉表示：“任何技术的发展都不是一帆风顺的。我们不会因为一些质疑就停止转基因的产业化。”
“在转基因技术的发展过程中，我们将深入研究以避免可能潜在的风险。同时，中国需要建立起自主研发体系，以便获得市场主动权。”
2009年，农业部已经分别给转基因水稻和转植酸酶基因玉米颁发了安全证书（见 中国“里程碑地”批准转基因作物）。
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