China must be careful about genetically modified foods

I saw earlier than other readers the article “Why Spaniards are not afraid of genetically modified foods” written by Mr. Holz de Saha. At that time, I was shocked, because in my mind, the European Union has always been a pioneer in the fight against genetically modified foods. The British even made a new word for GM foods called "frankenstein food," which means "devil food." I remember a reporter from a well-known Spanish television station in Beijing not long ago talking to me about genetically modified foods. When I asked him about his attitude towards genetically modified foods, such as “Dare to eat genetically modified foods, drink genetically modified milk,” he told me that he did not dare. Most Spanish do not dare.

In fact, Europe’s true view of genetic modification depends on large-scale polls. The Eurobarometer is the most representative European poll. The poll conducted in 2010 showed that European people are more opposed to genetically modified foods than in the past. In 2007, 58% of the people opposed to genetically modified foods rose to 61% in 2010. From 1995 to 2010, European people’s support for genetically modified foods has been on a downward trend, and currently only less than 5% of genetically modified foods are strongly supported. In many countries, people’s support for genetically modified foods has shown a sharp downward trend. The most obvious is Spain. In the past, Spain used to be a country relatively more supportive of GM foods in Europe, and it also commercialized GM corn. However, in the past five years, the support of GM foods by the Spanish people has been on a downward trend, and the current supporters are still less than 20%. Therefore, the view that "Spain is not afraid of genetically modified foods" can only be Mr. Saha's personal opinion.

European polls show that Europeans think that genetically modified foods are insecure, accounting for 59%, and that 58% of them are unsafe for the next generation. Less than 1/3 of them believe that GM foods are good for the economy, and 84% Investigators are alerted to genetically modified foods. Another interesting finding of the European polls is that people do not understand GM technology, and those who believe that as long as they publicize genetically modified foods and popular science foods can win popular support, they are wrong. The European people clearly know the difference between biotechnology and genetically modified foods. They actually have no objection to the biotech revolution that can bring new drugs in the future, but they oppose GM foods.

At present, the world's most careful about genetically modified foods belongs to the European Union. Even if the United States has sent the EU to the dock for many times in the WTO, it will not be moved. When the United States vigorously promoted genetic technology in the world for commercial interests, the European Union has always been an opponent. At present, the EU is also one of the continents where the world has approved the least number of genetically modified species, the least cultivation, and the most stringent management. There is only a small amount of genetically modified corn and potatoes used as feed.

Europe rigorously regulates the labeling of genetically modified foods and requires that foods containing genetically modified ingredients must be clearly labeled with genetically modified ingredients so that consumers can identify them. Some people think that China can adopt the genetically modified labeling method, but I think it is difficult to do it in China. The main reason is that such a system not only requires a high degree of business integrity, but also requires strict supervision of the regulatory authorities.

At present, China's regulatory capacity for genetically modified crops is very revolting. Take GM rice as an example. Although authorities have repeatedly claimed that China has not approved commercial rice cultivation, many investigation agencies are able to easily buy transgenes in supermarkets. Ingredients of rice. What is even more strange is that such cases have been found for many times and lasted for years without any penalty. Not long ago, the corn varieties that had been approved for the explosion had been quietly recovered by the authorities due to the presence of genetically modified components. All these shows that GM food management still has a long way to go in China.