Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture issued a safety certificate for the production and application of GM rice and corn, which means that GM crops have taken another big step toward commercial cultivation. So, whether the genetically modified soybeans that have been at the forefront for a long time will be the best choice for the next “certificateâ€.
On December 29th, a soybean expert close to the decision-making level told the “Daily Economic News†that the commercial cultivation of genetically modified soybeans was still in the early stage of safety evaluation. It is still difficult to estimate the time for final approval.
GM soybeans are "not inferior to technology"
According to the “Regulations on the Administration of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organismsâ€, four phases of rigorous experimental studies, intermediate tests, environmental releases, and production tests are required before applying for the production and application of safety certificates. The safety evaluation will last for several years.
“The commercial cultivation of genetically modified soybeans is still in the middle of the experimental stage. It is early in the safety evaluation. It is still difficult to estimate the time for final approval.†The above experts stated that the current progress of the evaluation mainly depends on the government, and there are basically no scientific and technical problems. The various documents required for approval are also complete.
He also revealed that the research results of GM rice were basically mature a few years ago, and the reason why this year's safety certificate was obtained was because of the sensitivity of the topic of “genetic modification†and delay in approval.
“The process of R&D and approval of genetically modified soybeans in our country has lagged behind. There is still relatively little independent intellectual property rights, and some departments have slowed down the process in order to prevent GM soybeans from entering China too quickly,†said the expert.
Association will cooperate with genetically modified soybeans
Slow progress may not stop the industry's expectation of genetically modified soybeans.
Huang Daxuan, deputy chairman of the National Agricultural Genetically Modified Organism Safety Committee, once said that the soybean industry has a very strong sense of urgency. Domestic soybean production, processing and marketing have been controlled by foreign companies. Now China is also facing the question of whether to plant genetically modified soybeans.
According to Wang Xiaoyu, deputy secretary-general of the Heilongjiang Soybean Association, “The possibility of planting genetically modified soybeans in the short term is very small, and the level of genetically modified soybeans is still at the laboratory stage.â€
Relevant persons from multiple soybean associations in Heilongjiang Province interviewed by the reporter all stated that if the state wants to promote the cultivation of genetically modified soybeans, the association will fully cooperate with them, but it is suggested that relevant departments must give full scientific argumentation before promotion.
(The beginning)