China pulls plug on genetically modified rice and corn

[nationalize the fed]

Dennis Normile Sciencemag.org 20 August 2014

"GMO corn Yellow Springs, Ohio" by Lindsay Eyink from San Francisco, CA, USA - Research field. Licensed under CCbySA 2.0

China’s Ministry of Agriculture has decided not to renew biosafety certificates that allowed research groups to grow genetically modified (GM) rice and corn. The permits, to grow two varieties of GM rice and one transgenic corn strain, expired on 17 August. The reasoning behind the move is not clear, and it has raised questions about the future of related research in China.

The ministry, with much fanfare, had approved the GM rice certificates in August 2009. The permits enabled a group at Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan to produce two varieties of rice carrying a gene from the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria that provides pest resistance. At the same time, the ministry approved production of a corn strain developed by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences' Biotechnology Research Institute in Beijing. Researchers had altered the corn so that kernels contain phytase, a livestock feed additive that boosts absorption of phosphorus, which enhances growth. All of the certificates were valid for 5 years.

Since the certificates were issued, however, public skepticism about the benefits of GM crops has grown in China. Some scientists conducting GM plant research have been attacked when giving public lectures...

...Others believe agricultural economics also influenced the decision. China has nearly reached self-sufficiency in producing rice using conventional varieties, so the ministry has decided there is no need to commercialize Bt rice in the near future, says Huang Jikun, director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy. He says that with commercialization off the table, there was no point in renewing the certifications. Huang says "rising public concerns [about the] safety of GM rice" likely also played a role...MORE
http://news.sciencemag.org/asiapacific/2014/08/china-pulls-plug-genetically-modified-rice-and-corn

From the comments:

Tyler Hurson • 14 hours ago

Thanks liberals, you've effectively starved China of a tool for combating widespread food insecurity. And you people claim to be the saviors of the working class?
*****

"China has nearly reached self-sufficiency in producing rice using
conventional varieties, so the ministry has decided there is no need to
commercialize Bt rice in the near future, says Huang Jikun, director of
the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy."

****

First Officer • 2 days ago

I predict China's grain imports to rise significantly over the coming years. Most will be GM. Then China will change course.
*****

"China has nearly reached self-sufficiency in producing rice using
conventional varieties, so the ministry has decided there is no need to
commercialize Bt rice in the near future, says Huang Jikun, director of
the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy."

[SidDithers]

1. Green for victory!!...nt

Sid

[nationalize the fed]

2. ^

[nationalize the fed]

3. ^