Genetically Modified Organisms: Risks and Management

Author: Xue Dayuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Since the large-scale commercial production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) began in 1995, the planting area of several major GMO crops (soybeans, corn, cotton, rapeseed) has been increasing globally year by year, reaching 81 million hectares by 2004. Following the United States, Argentina, and Canada, China has become the world's fourth-largest country in terms of GMO planting area. In 2004, China's planting area of transgenic insect-resistant cotton exceeded 3 million hectares, accounting for 70% of the country's total cotton planting area. Although China has not yet approved the cultivation of transgenic food crops, it imports approximately 20 million tons of transgenic soybeans annually from abroad, primarily for edible oil processing and animal feed production. On the other hand, China's domestically developed and researched transgenic food crops are nearing commercial production. Due to the scientific uncertainty surrounding the environmental hazards and health risks of GMOs, developing countries generally lack the capacity for GMO biosafety management, and China faces similar challenges. Under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety requires the international community, particularly developed countries, to actively support the capacity-building of developing countries in regulatory frameworks, professional skills, management experience, and public participation to strengthen GMO management. In this context, the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) implemented a capacity-building project in China, funding the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences under the Ministry of Environmental Protection to carry out the project "China Biosafety Capacity Building – Enhancing Biosafety Data Management, Professional Capabilities, and Public Awareness." An important component of this project was the convening of an international symposium on GMOs and their environmental impact, aiming to provide an academic forum to explore the effects of GMOs on the environment, health, and socio-economic development from a scientific perspective, thereby fostering harmonious development between humans, nature, and science and technology. This international symposium was held from July 9 to 11, 2004, in Beijing, organized by the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Chinese Association of Agricultural Biotechnology, with co-organization by GTZ (BMZ) and the Third World Network (TWN). A total of 96 representatives attended the symposium, including 20 from relevant Chinese government departments (Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Science and Technology, National Forestry Administration, and National Intellectual Property Administration), 40 from Chinese research institutions (relevant institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Institute of Environmental Sciences, agricultural universities, and other research institutions), 23 experts and officials from Germany, Austria, the United States, Norway, Australia, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, as well as representatives from international and domestic non-governmental organizations. Additionally, 13 media reporters participated in the symposium (see Appendix 3: List of Participants). The symposium was a great success. A total of more than 30 academic presentations and two roundtable discussions were held, covering the latest research progress and existing issues in various fields such as the environmental and health risks of GMOs domestically and internationally, environmental impact monitoring of GMOs, trade and socio-economic impacts, and policies and regulations for biosafety management. The atmosphere was lively, with active participation and intense debates, leading to consensus in some areas (see Appendix: Summary of Symposium Outcomes). Informal discussions were also held to explore future cooperation, including conducting related research and proposing the establishment of a "China Biosafety Forum." The papers in this collection are primarily based on the presentations at the international symposium. On the occasion of the publication of this symposium proceedings, I sincerely thank the experts, government officials, and others who supported and contributed to the symposium. I also extend my gratitude to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and other relevant government departments, as well as the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Chinese Association of Agricultural Biotechnology. Special thanks are due to colleagues who provided logistical support during the symposium and friends who assisted in translating the papers for this collection. In summary, I sincerely thank all the professionals and friends who attended the symposium and contributed to it. All papers in this collection have been compiled and submitted by their respective authors, representing their views. The entire collection has been edited and proofread by Xue Dayuan. Any inaccuracies in the text are kindly requested to be pointed out by the readers.