The first transgenic crop in the world is a kind of tobacco containing antibiotics. It was cultivated in 1983, and it was not until 10 that the first market-oriented genetically modified food appeared in the United States, which is a tomato that can delay ripening. 1996, tomato cakes made from this tomato food are allowed to be sold in supermarkets.
So far, genetically modified cattle and sheep, genetically modified fish and shrimp, genetically modified grain, genetically modified vegetables and genetically modified fruits have been successfully cultivated at home and abroad and put into the food market. Peng Yufa, a member of the National Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Safety Committee and a researcher at the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said that since the advent of genetically modified crops seven years ago, the number of genetically modified crops worldwide has increased by 40 times. Plants, animals and microorganisms are the most common transgenic organisms, among which plants are the most common. After the successful study of 1983, the transgenic crops directly increased from 1996 to 67.7 million hectares in 2003, and were planted by 7 million farmers in five continents 18 countries, among which transgenic soybeans accounted for 55% of all soybean planting and corn accounted for 165438.
The United States is the country with the most transgenic technology. Since the gene transformation technology was actually put into agricultural production in the early 1990s, 55% of soybeans, 45% of cotton and 40% of corn in the annual output of agricultural products in the United States have been gradually transformed into gene transformation. At present, about 20 kinds of seeds of genetically modified crops are allowed to be planted in the United States, including corn, soybeans, rapeseed, potatoes and cotton. It is estimated that from 1999 to 2004, the market size of genetically modified agricultural products and food in the United States will expand from $4 billion to $20 billion, and will reach $75 billion in 20 19. Some experts predict that at the beginning of 2 1 century, it is likely that every food in the United States will contain a certain amount of genetically modified ingredients. Other countries, such as Argentina and Canada, are also developing genetically modified agriculture rapidly.
China has carried out transgenic research in cotton, rice, wheat, corn and soybean, and achieved many research results, especially in transgenic cotton. But there are not many varieties that are truly commercialized on a large scale. Only six varieties, such as virus-resistant sweet pepper, delayed ripening tomato, virus-resistant tobacco and insect-resistant cotton, are planted on a real scale. Some experts believe that there are also a large number of genetically modified foods in China. Market research shows that 70% of the foods containing soy ingredients in China's market contain genetically modified ingredients, such as soybean oil, phospholipids, soy sauce, puffed food and so on. So many people are actually unconsciously associated with genetically modified foods. In addition, some imported foods in China contain genetically modified ingredients. In the food of McDonald's and KFC, popular fast food restaurants in China, the content of genetically modified products is also high.
The development of life science industry has been nearly 20 years, and it has attracted more and more attention because of its great hope. Someone once vividly compared biotechnology to the second Silicon Valley in the United States in the new century. In addition to all kinds of new drugs and life-saving drugs, all kinds of genetically modified crops and foods produced by genetic engineering are the main products of this Silicon Valley. If tomato cakes made from genetically modified tomato food were allowed to be sold in American supermarkets from 65438 to 0996, genetically modified food has not entered people's lives for ten years, and the birth of new things often goes through a tortuous process.
The world has different attitudes towards development.
1. "Potato Incident" and "BT Corn Incident"
The most obvious advantage of genetically modified products is that they can improve the quality and output of products, reduce costs and improve land utilization. However, while scientists are busy expanding the achievements of genetically modified crops in experimental fields, some opponents of genetically modified crops have discovered the disadvantages of genetically modified crops from time to time, namely "potato incident" and "BT gene corn incident".
A British researcher published his research results in the laboratory, saying that feeding mice with genetically modified potatoes caused abnormal organ growth, weight loss and immune system damage, and the experimental results immediately caused a sensation.
1999 In May, the authoritative British science magazine (Nature) published John, an associate professor at Cornell University. A paper by Rosie shocked the world. According to the paper, the researchers spread the pollen of insect-resistant transgenic corn-Bt gene corn on the leaves of chicory, and then let butterfly larvae eat these leaves. Four days later, 44% of the larvae died, and the surviving larvae were small and listless. The other group of larvae ate vegetable leaves sprinkled with ordinary corn pollen, and the mortality rate was not high, and there was no growth retardation. Based on this, the paper draws the conclusion that BT transgenic corn pollen contains toxins. BT transgenic corn is cultivated because of its ability to resist pests and diseases, and its cultivation method is to implant a gene that can effectively kill corn pests into corn seeds. Some scientists believe that the implantation of BT gene can make corn produce substances that kill pests and make it resistant to pests, but it is also toxic. This has a negative impact on the ecological environment.
Shortly after the "potato incident" broke out, the Royal Society of England pointed out six defects in this experiment in a special evaluation of this organization: it is impossible to determine the difference in chemical composition between genetically modified and non-genetically modified potatoes; Protein was not given to mice that ate genetically modified potatoes to prevent hunger; The number of animals tested is small, and feeding several different foods is not the standard food for rats, which lacks statistical significance; The experimental design is poor, and no double-blind determination is made; Improper statistical methods; Inconsistent test results, etc. However, the British public is skeptical about the safety of genetically modified food, and the relevant European governments are also cautious, so it is necessary to verify the safety of genetically modified food.
In response to the "BT gene corn incident", supporters of genetically modified food pointed out that agricultural production itself is an activity that harms the environment, and the damage of genetically modified crops to the environment will not be greater than that of traditional agriculture. Plants themselves have insect resistance, so farmers can reduce spraying pesticides, which is beneficial to environmental and biological protection.
2. Different attitudes of the United States, Canada and the European Union towards genetically modified foods.
In the United States and Canada, public acceptance of genetically modified foods is relatively high. Some processed foods on the market, such as soft drinks, beer and breakfast cereals, already contain ingredients of genetically modified crops, and have not encountered much doubt. Genetically modified developers in the United States insist that genetically modified food is a technological innovation, and the essence of genetically modified food is a natural selection process accelerated by biotechnology, so genetically modified food is very safe. After the attack on the British experimental base, the chief biotechnology expert of Monsanto, the largest developer and seller of genetically modified products in the United States, said that those who opposed genetically modified foods had no idea about the ability of this technology, and biotechnology was a new and efficient production method.
Consumer groups in some European countries, such as Switzerland and Austria, oppose the import and sale of genetically modified foods, which they believe will affect human health. The attitude of relevant European governments is that genetically modified food is unsafe and needs scientific proof. Some social groups and organizations have called for a moratorium on planting genetically modified crops until scientists confirm the safety of genetically modified foods. As the European public is increasingly worried about the possible harm of genetically modified foods to health and the environment, the EU has suspended its approval to operate new genetically modified agricultural products in 1998 since April. However, on April 18, 2004, the European Union began to allow GM foods to be sold in the market, but products with more than a certain proportion of GM ingredients must be labeled, which is considered to be a substantial step for the European Union to lift the ban on GM products.
3. There is no conclusion about genetically modified food.
Whether it is the "potato incident", "BT gene corn incident" or the differences between Europe and America on genetically modified food, people are most concerned about the safety of genetically modified food. However, so far, the safety of genetically modified foods has not been determined by the scientific community. Science and technology is a double-edged sword, which can benefit mankind and bring disaster to mankind. Generally speaking, the indicators for safety testing of a substance mainly include acute and chronic toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity and mutagenicity. Judging from the current international situation (especially the United States, Britain and other western developed countries), people have not found any adverse reactions after eating genetically modified foods. Nevertheless, in science, if a food that does not show short-term toxicity and safety problems is suspected to have hidden dangers, it is necessary to observe whether its long-term toxicity and safety problems exist and let time test it. This long-term follow-up monitoring usually takes one or two decades. Therefore, this argument will continue for a long time before we get enough conclusive evidence.
Where will China go from here?
1. Developing gene technology is the general trend.
Although countries are very cautious about genetically modified foods and have issued many policies and regulations, even organizations with strict requirements on genetically modified foods such as the European Union are still actively developing genetically modified technologies while preventing the import of genetically modified foods from the United States, Canada and other countries. After all, transgenic technology can bring huge profits. Whoever has mastered the new technology will take the lead in occupying the world agriculture in the new century.
In the long run, it is imperative to improve crops through genetic engineering. This is mainly due to the increasing pressure of the global population. Experts estimate that the global population will increase by 50% in the next 40 years. Therefore, the grain output must be increased by 75% to solve the problem of feeding the world population. With the improvement of urbanization level and the decrease of cultivated land area, it is imperative to improve crops by genetic engineering. Gene technology can reduce production costs and increase crop yield per unit area. It can greatly shorten the time for developing crops. Therefore, some experts believe that in a few years, transgenic technology will change the world agricultural map.
In recent years, China Academy of Engineering, Ministry of Agriculture and other departments have organized experts to discuss genetically modified plants for many times. Experts believe that due to the foresight of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, the "863" plan launched in the mid-1980s and the recently approved special plan for genetically modified plants have enabled China to gain comparative advantages in many fields of plant genome and transgenic research. If people say that the birth of hybrid crops and the extensive use of chemical fertilizers have greatly improved the output of agricultural products, it is the symbol of the first agricultural revolution. So now, the application of genetic engineering in agriculture will make the second revolution close at hand. China has cultivated a batch of genetically modified crop materials, some of which have been tested in the field for many years, and the conditions for industrialization are completely mature, so we should seize the opportunity to further promote industrialization. If we restrict the industrialization of these genetically modified crops, we will not only lose some of our relative advantages and opportunities in international competition, but also affect the development of agricultural biotechnology and related fields, make the scientific research team lose cohesion and lead to the brain drain again.
2. Seek development through norms
At present, the scientific community has not reached a complete conclusion on gene technology. However, it is obviously unrealistic and impossible for China's agricultural development to wait until a conclusion is reached. As a high-tech food, it is an irreversible trend for genetically modified food to enter the homes of ordinary people. In order to ensure the safety of ordinary people, standardized management is the key to the development of genetically modified food in China. 1993 The former State Science and Technology Commission issued the Measures for the Safety Management of Genetic Engineering, and 1996 The Ministry of Agriculture issued the Implementation Measures for the Safety Management of Agricultural Biogenetic Engineering. The Ministry of Agriculture accepts two batches of genetic engineering safety evaluation every year, and so far, it has accepted 193 items, and only 6 items have been approved for commercial production. Under this management system, genetically modified products that have passed safety assessment and testing are safe.
On May 23rd, 20001year, the State Council promulgated the Regulations on the Safety Management of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms, which first mentioned the issue of genetically modified labeling. On June 7, 2002, 65438, the Ministry of Agriculture promulgated three detailed regulations, one of which was the Measures for the Administration of Labeling of Genetically Modified Organisms in Agriculture. The management of agricultural genetically modified foods has been strengthened. On April 8, 2002, the Ministry of Health issued the labeling method specifically for "genetically modified processed foods", that is, the Measures for Hygienic Management of Genetically Modified Foods, which stipulated that "foods and food additives made of genetically modified animals and plants, microorganisms or products directly processed by them" must be labeled after July 2002 1. In this regulation, which includes 6 chapters and 26 articles, it is clearly written that foods containing genetically modified organisms and/or expression products (including raw materials and processed foods) should be marked with "genetically modified XX foods" or "genetically modified XX foods as raw materials". If the genetically modified food comes from potentially allergic food, it should also be marked as "this product is genetically modified as XX food, and those who are allergic to XX food should pay attention". This is an important measure to give people the right to know.
There is still a long way to go for the development of genetically modified food in China. The truly responsible way is to give the public the right to choose, so that consumers can distinguish genetically modified foods from non-genetically modified foods through clear labels on products and choose their own products. The regulatory authorities should strengthen law enforcement and fully guarantee the fairness, openness and justice of the genetically modified food market.