Scholars demand to shelve GM foods
- Source: Global Times
- [02:27 March 12 2010]
- Comments
By Ji Beibei
Scholars want genetically modified foods to be scrutinized a bit longer and have openly called on the Ministry of Agriculture to forfeit safety certificates already given to researchers of GM foods.
The scholars spoke out at the same time the issue was being discussed at the two sessions.
Su Tieshan, one of the skeptical scholars, told the Global Times Thursday that safety should be a priority.
"It is not suitable for China to be the first and only one in the world to grant safety certificates to GM foods like rice and corn. No one can afford the risk involved," Su said. "But we do not say GM technology is all bad. On the contrary, the technology can benefit human beings if it is correctly applied."
The ministry announced on Wednesday that the certificates, issued in November for two types of GM paddy rice and GM corn, didn't mean the products would automatically be available for sale. They said it was done more to recognize scientific achievements.
"Recognition can be expressed in other ways such as giving prize money or honorary titles when it comes to food safety that affect millions of people," Su said.
On March 1, Su and about 120 other scholars representing different fields dispatched the joint letter to the Standing Committee of the NPC, urging them to forfeit the safety certificates issued.
Some CPPCC members submitted a proposal asking for the slowdown of the commer-cialization of GM foods.
The letter written by the scholars said both the EU and Japan have expressed reserva-tions about GM foods. And advantages of GM cotton ceased after three years of production.
Su said the government needs to conduct more research before saying GM food is safe.
A report by Guangzhou-based Times Weekly quoted Fang Zhouzi, a doctoral student in biochemistry, who said that most of the scholars who wrote the letter are socialists and nationalists, but not scientists.
But Su said the scholars have studied research reports and attitudes of overseas countries toward GM food before issuing the joint letters.
Wang Xiao, 27, a Beijing resident, told the Global Times that labeling GM foods as such is crucial.
But labeling GM foods is not on the agenda for legislation, Peng Yufa, a member of the ministry committee on the safety of GM foods, was quoted as saying by Hangzhou-based Youth Times Thursday.
Jiang Wanjuan contributed to this story
