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Corn, cotton, soybeans ... a comparison map, some intact, some infected with pests and diseases, which is the difference between genetically modified crops and non-genetically modified crops. On the evening of March 23rd, 2004, experts and scholars from the AFBF delegation held a folk dialogue with teachers and students at China Agricultural University on "The Influence of Agricultural Biotechnology on Popular Thought". Mr. BobStallman, Chairman of AFBF, has repeatedly proved that biotechnology is not only safe, but also can increase crop yield and bring lasting benefits to the environment.
Agricultural genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants, animals, microorganisms and their products that use genetic engineering technology to change the genome composition and are used in agricultural production or agricultural products processing to benefit human beings. Mr. BobStallman, Chairman of the Alliance, introduced the existing and potential impacts of crop biotechnology on agriculture in the United States and other countries, and analyzed the specific situation of agriculture in China.
The American Farm Bureau Alliance is the largest farm organization in the United States, with branches in 50 states and Puerto Rico, with 5 million members. These representatives are both farmers and producers. They believe that although scientists and government departments have a lot of exchanges in agricultural biotechnology, there is almost no information specifically for farmers and consumers. Therefore, they stated the personal views of American farmers on agricultural biotechnology.
Chairman BobStallman said that in the United States, more crops use transgenic technology and the yield of crops has increased. When Bob first introduced the genetically modified soybeans sold in the United States from 1992, it attracted everyone's attention. Because China imports a certain amount of American genetically modified soybeans every year. This concerns everyone's interests.
"However, genetically modified soybeans produce the most in the United States, but Americans don't eat them. It is said that 80% of genetically modified soybeans in the United States are used as feed. What is the reason? " For this reporter's question, Mr. BobStallman attributed it to "an American habit". He explained, "Although genetically modified soybeans are mainly used as raw materials in the United States, they account for 50% in other foods, such as margarine. Consumers also buy these foods from stores. At present, there is no record of anyone hurting people because of eating genetically modified foods in the world. "
In the United States, the production of genetically modified soybeans accounts for 80%, Brazil accounts for 60%, and Argentina also accounts for 80%. BobStallman said that this is because it can reduce costs, is safe and reliable, and is beneficial to consumers. Viral transgenic crops can also reduce the virus content of crops. In this regard, in the United States, developers are producing foods that consumers like.
In that case, why does the United States still produce 20% of non-GM soybeans? What's the difference between 20% and 80%? What is the income of non-GM soybeans? When answering this question from CCTV-7 reporter Cao Zhi, DonVillwock, chairman of Indiana Agriculture Bureau, replied: In the fields where genetically modified soybeans are planted in the United States, weeds are overgrown, and the genes of genetically modified soybeans contain herbicide-resistant ingredients. Planting it can reduce the dosage of drug-resistant herbicides and reduce the cost. Generally speaking, there are not many weeds in the fields where non-GM soybeans are planted. Non-genetically modified soybeans are mainly planted to meet special market demand.
DonVillwock has run a 2000-acre farm in Indiana so far, mainly growing soybeans and corn for making popcorn. He believes that the cost of genetically modified crops seeds is high, and some farmers will not plant them because of economic considerations. However, there is also a phenomenon that when they see that genetically modified crops can bring him benefits, he will plant them. As for income, in a narrow sense, farmers can get benefits. Broadly speaking, it can benefit mankind.
Mr. BobStallman, the chairman of the Alliance, is also a member of the Trade Committee of American Agricultural Policy Advisers. Often provide information and suggestions on trade negotiations to the US Secretary of Agriculture and trade representatives. He is also a member of the International Economic Policy Advisory Committee and the the State Council Advisory Group on International Economic Issues. He said that the safety test of genetically modified technology approved by the US government is very strict. So American consumers trust the government very much. In the United States, commercial production has a strict approval and monitoring system. In the eyes of American consumers, these regulations are based on scientific tests. This is the basis for building trust in the government. Their psychology of buying food is that they are willing to try as long as it is delicious. This sense of reassurance is also a trust in science. In this regard, BobStallman particularly emphasized the impact of policy formulation on products.
People's Daily reporter Jiang Jianke questioned American experts about the drug resistance of genetically modified crops in Europe.
They replied that this is mainly propaganda from non-governmental organizations and media organizations, not from a scientific point of view, but from a philosophical level. The purpose of scientific research is to make food safer. Bob said that another reason is that the monitoring of genetically modified foods in Europe is not satisfactory. Causing consumers to distrust the government. But there are many transgenic experiments in Europe, which prove that transgenic crops are even safer than ordinary crops to some extent.
SteveKouplen, chairman of the Oklahoma Agriculture Bureau, attributed another reason for the EU to resist genetically modified foods to trade barriers. "I can't enter your product, and you can't enter my product. Just as China's juice enters the American market, Americans will say that yours is not suitable for our production environment. "
Some research results of transgenic technology in China have reached the international advanced level. But what really turns into productivity is insect-resistant cotton. There are currently more than 30 million mu. However, China has always taken a prudent approach, not only formulating the Regulations on the Safety Management of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms, but also conducting environmental release research and safety assessment by scientific and technical personnel.
BobStallman believes that China is a huge market for American farmers and agricultural products, and he hopes to bring benefits to farmers in China through agricultural biotechnology.
Dr. Sun Qixin, Vice President of China Agricultural University, said that although there are still different views on the safety of genetically modified technology, the information exchange brought by the delegation of the US Department of Agriculture has enabled us to further understand the production and consumption of genetically modified crops in the United States and the attitudes and views of the American people on genetically modified crops.
In fact, when people can't fully understand a new technology, they will inevitably have doubts. This is also normal. The key question is, are there any side effects from the application of new technologies? Will the promotion of transgenic technology be monopolized by some multinational giants? Will farmers' control over agricultural production be eroded by some multinational companies with transgenic technology? This is what we need to think about ~ ~ ~ ~
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We have all become the experimental products of the five evils of genetically modified food.
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Using transgenic technology, human beings have been able to change the genetic blueprints of many animals and plants, thus profoundly changing the development process of medicine and applied science. Therefore, many people will think that genetic engineering can and will bring good news to mankind.
However, when people change the genetic structure of a plant or animal, can they really ensure the safety of new creatures? We can't be sure whether there will be monsters like "aliens" lurking at the other end of genetic technology. Therefore, when enjoying the surprises brought by new technologies, we should always keep in mind that we should not be corroded by the right to change genes in our hands; What we can do is actually only a very rough and primitive part.
At the same time, we can't forget that the past of mankind is full of "man-made tragedies", and in this "new agricultural revolution" sweeping the world, the first thing we should do is to try our best to avoid the recurrence of tragedies.
There are five main hidden dangers of genetically modified foods to human beings:
The first is the toxicity problem. Some researchers believe that artificial extraction and addition of genes may not only achieve some expected effects, but also increase and accumulate trace toxins in food.
Secondly, the problem of allergic reaction. People who are allergic to a food are sometimes allergic to a food they were not allergic to before. For example, scientists added a gene of corn to the genes of walnuts, wheat and shellfish, and protein also added it along with the genes. Then, people who used to eat corn may be allergic to these walnuts, wheat and shellfish.
The third is nutrition. Scientists believe that foreign genes will destroy the nutrients in food in ways that people don't know yet.
The fourth is the resistance to antibiotics. When scientists add a foreign gene to plants or bacteria, this gene will be connected with other genes. After people take this improved food, the food will transfer the drug resistance gene to the pathogenic bacteria in the human body, which will make the human body resistant to drugs.
The fifth is the threat to the environment. Many transgenic varieties contain bacterial genes extracted from Bacillus, which can produce a protein that is toxic to insects and pests. In a laboratory study, the larva of a butterfly died or developed abnormally after eating the pollen of milkweed plants containing Bacillus genes, which caused another concern of ecologists. Other species that are not within the scope of improvement may become victims of improved species.
Since there are so many hazards in genetically modified foods, and many businesses are selling them in the market, and most of them are imported, it is against humanity for foreign scientists to use us to do experiments in China! ! ! Shouldn't we do something?
All transferred from the superstar reading community.