Chinese general hits out at use of GM foods
BEIJING: A Chinese general has publicly criticized growing Chinese dependence on genetically modified crops.
The general, Peng Guangqian, has said that using the method will enable western companies to take control of China's agriculture.
"What they call 'solving the food problem for 1.3 billion people' by relying on genetic engineering is a complete lie," he wrote in the state controlled Xinhua news agency. "We can't afford to move on a trial-and-error basis."
Peng, who holds a non-command rank equivalent of major-general of the People's Liberation Army, said 'western multinational companies' were dumping GM crops in China and thus destroying the country's traditional agriculture. This comes after vice president of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Wu Kongming publicly called for wider cultivation of GM crops.
Wu said China cannot afford to stick to traditional farming to feed its millions and the only way out of food shortage was to "use modern technology to support the development of our agriculture". Sources said that the outburst shows emerging differences within the government on sensitive matters and the government's readiness to allow public discussion on some developmental issues.
China does not allow commercial plantation of GM staple crops. But plantation of GM papaya and cotton has been allowed. Several Chinese officials including those in the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences are asking for wide scale planting of GM crops.
China relies heavily on imported GM soy beans. Customs data showed 81% of soy beans consumed in China last year were imported mostly from the US and Brazil. TOI
The general, Peng Guangqian, has said that using the method will enable western companies to take control of China's agriculture.
"What they call 'solving the food problem for 1.3 billion people' by relying on genetic engineering is a complete lie," he wrote in the state controlled Xinhua news agency. "We can't afford to move on a trial-and-error basis."
Peng, who holds a non-command rank equivalent of major-general of the People's Liberation Army, said 'western multinational companies' were dumping GM crops in China and thus destroying the country's traditional agriculture. This comes after vice president of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Wu Kongming publicly called for wider cultivation of GM crops.
Wu said China cannot afford to stick to traditional farming to feed its millions and the only way out of food shortage was to "use modern technology to support the development of our agriculture". Sources said that the outburst shows emerging differences within the government on sensitive matters and the government's readiness to allow public discussion on some developmental issues.
China does not allow commercial plantation of GM staple crops. But plantation of GM papaya and cotton has been allowed. Several Chinese officials including those in the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences are asking for wide scale planting of GM crops.
China relies heavily on imported GM soy beans. Customs data showed 81% of soy beans consumed in China last year were imported mostly from the US and Brazil. TOI
