Genetically Modified Food Labelling in China 中國轉(zhuǎn)基因食品

1、啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊HLT6014International Food & Beverage Management(Bachelor of Arts in International Hospitality Management)啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊Briefing Paper of Genetically Modified Food Labelling in China啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊Student Name

2、Student IDLan Tian0909005801Lecturer:Mr Willard TanWord Count:4400 wordsB R I E F I N G P A P E RBriefing on ICAFE 2013: International Conference on Agricultural and Food Genetically Modified Food Labelling in ChinaLan TianCardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, CF24 0SP, UKBrief SummaryThis study

3、 across the GM food case in China, which Chinese children were fed Golden Rice as lab rat, a serious research based on GM food was launched. To give public a basic understand of GM food with worldwide supplier information, and its labelling knowledge, the benefits and also the contentious points. Th

4、en back to China, how the GM food survival in this market, how the Chinese people face GM food in either daily life or field produce. Following show the detailed regulation of GM food. Certain recommendations are provided in the end.Contents Pg1Introduction42Background and Finding52.1What is Genetic

5、ally Modified (GM) Food52.2Benefits of GM Food62.3 Controversies of GM Food92.4Global Trends in Producing GM Food102.5 Genetically Modified Food in China153Stakeholders163.1 Domestic163.2 International174Regulations on Administration of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Safety185Research o

6、f Consumer Attitudes toward GM Food215.1 Data of Research215.2Review of Research266Recommendations30Conclusion31References321 IntroductionDecember 6, 2012, a statement published on the website of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mentioned that 24 elementary students in Hen

7、gyang, Hunan Province, China, were confirmed to been fed of “Golden Rice”, which is a genetically modified (GM) food. And to their parents, who did not eat the Golden Rice were to be given 10,000 RMB, and who were fed Golden Rice were to be offered 80,000 RMB (China CDC 2012).And within one day, thr

8、ee major researchers of this event were removed from their posts as punishment for deliberately hiding the facts from local authorities and students parents.So, we have to ask: What is GM food? What should we know about GM food?2 Background and Finding2.1What is Genetically Modified (GM) FoodGenetic

9、ally modified (GM) foods are derived from organisms. Organisms have been developed using the process called modern biotechnology, gene technology, recombinant DNA technology or genetic engineering. Using gene technology, a gene (or genes) which control a specific desired trait or characteristic in o

10、ne organism are transferred into another organism and can also be transferred between non-related species (Western Australian Agriculture Authority 2011). Characteristics of genetically modified produce may include better resistance to disease, tougher skins so that less damage occurs in shipping, a

11、nd more vitamins, Livestock may be genetically modified to produce more meat. Moreover, scientists have used genetic engineering technology to mass-produce compounds used in livestock to change the way their bodies work. For instance, researchers have genetically engineered bacteria to produce bovin

12、e growth hormone (rBGH) in large quantities and have injected cows with this hormone to make them produce more milk. The average annual output of milk from a dairy cow is about 4,227 quarts (4,000 liters); cows treated with genetically engineered bovine growth hormone produce another 861 to 1,057 qu

13、arts (600 to 1,000 liters) (Freedman 2003).Genetically modified plants and animals are sometimes referred to as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They are also sometimes called transgenic plants or animals. “Transgenic” means containing genes from outside the species (Freedman 2003).2.2Benefits

14、 of GM FoodAccording to Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful (Whitman 2000), here are several advantages of GM food:2.2.1 Pest Resistance Crop losses from insect pests can be staggering, resulting in devastating financial loss for farmers and starvation in developing countries. Farmers typ

15、ically use many tons of chemical pesticides annually. Consumers do not wish to eat food that has been treated with pesticides because of potential health hazards, and run-off of agricultural wastes from excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers can poison the water supply and cause harm to the env

16、ironment. Growing GM foods such as Bt Corn can help eliminate the application of chemical pesticides and reduce the cost of bringing a crop to market (Whitman 2000).2.2.2 Herbicide Tolerance For some crops, it is not cost-effective to remove weeds by physical means such as tilling, so farmers will o

17、ften spray large quantities of different herbicides (weed-killer) to destroy weeds, a time-consuming and expensive process, which requires care so that the herbicide doesn't harm the crop plant or the environment. Crop plants genetically-engineered to be resistant to one very powerful herbicide

18、could help prevent environmental damage by reducing the amount of herbicides needed. For example, Monsanto has created a strain of soybeans genetically modified to be not affected by their herbicide product Roundup. A farmer grows these soybeans which then only require one application of weed-killer

19、 instead of multiple applications, reducing production cost and limiting the dangers of agricultural waste run-off (Whitman 2000).2.2.3 Disease Resistance There are many viruses, fungi and bacteria that cause plant diseases. Plant biologists are working to create plants with genetically-engineered r

20、esistance to these diseases (Whitman 2000).2.2.4 Cold Tolerance Unexpected frost can destroy sensitive seedlings. An antifreeze gene from cold water fish has been introduced into plants such as tobacco and potato. With this antifreeze gene, these plants are able to tolerate cold temperatures that no

21、rmally would kill unmodified seedlings (Whitman 2000). 2.2.5 Drought Tolerance/Salinity Tolerance As the world population grows and more land is utilized for housing instead of food production, farmers will need to grow crops in locations previously unsuited for plant cultivation. Creating plants th

22、at can withstand long periods of drought or high salt content in soil and groundwater will help people to grow crops in formerly inhospitable places (Whitman 2000).2.2.6 Nutrition Malnutrition is common in third world countries where impoverished peoples rely on a single crop such as rice for the ma

23、in staple of their diet. However, rice does not contain adequate amounts of all necessary nutrients to prevent malnutrition. If rice could be genetically engineered to contain additional vitamins and minerals, nutrient deficiencies could be alleviated. For example, blindness due to vitamin A deficie

24、ncy is a common problem in third world countries. Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Institute for Plant Sciences have created a strain of "golden" rice containing an unusually high content of beta-carotene (vitamin A). Since this rice was funded by the Rockefeller Fo

25、undation, a non-profit organization, the Institute hopes to offer the golden rice seed free to any third world country that requests it. Plans were underway to develop golden rice that also has increased iron content. However, the grant that funded the creation of these two rice strains was not rene

26、wed, perhaps because of the vigorous anti-GM food protesting in Europe, and so this nutritionally-enhanced rice may not come to market at all (Whitman 2000).2.2.7 Pharmaceuticals Medicines and vaccines often are costly to produce and sometimes require special storage conditions not readily available

27、 in third world countries. Researchers are working to develop edible vaccines in tomatoes and potatoes. These vaccines will be much easier to ship, store and administer than traditional injectable vaccines (Whitman 2000).2.2.8 Phytoremediation Not all GM plants are grown as crops. Soil and groundwat

28、er pollution continues to be a problem in all parts of the world. Plants such as poplar trees have been genetically engineered to clean up heavy metal pollution from contaminated soil (Whitman 2000).2.3 Controversies of GM FoodAccording to Bioethics and Biosafety (Sateesh 2008), here are some contro

29、versies of GM food:2.3.1 SafetyPotential human health impacts, including allergens, transfer of antibiotic resistance markers, unknown effects; potential environmental impacts, including: unintended transfer of transgenes through cross-pollination, unknown effects on other organisms (e.g., soil micr

30、obes), and loss of flora and fauna biodiversity; access and intellectual property; domination of world food production by a few companies; increasing dependence on industrialized nations by developing countries; biopiracy, or foreign exploitation of natural resources (Sateesh 2008).2.3.2 EthicsViola

31、tion of natural organisms' intrinsic values; tampering with nature by mixing genes among species; objections to consuming animal genes in plants and vice versa; stress for animal (Sateesh 2008).2.3.3 LabelingNot mandatory in some countries (e.g., United States); mixing GM crops with non-GM produ

32、cts confounds labeling attempts (Sateesh 2008).2.3.4 SocietyNew advances may be skewed to interests of rich countries (Sateesh 2008).2.4Global Trends in Producing GM FoodFigure 1. Global Area of Biotech Crops Million Hectares (1996 - 2011) (Source: James 2011)A record 16.7 million famers, in 29 coun

33、tries, planted 160 million hectares (395 million acres) in 2011, a sustained increase of 8% or 12 million hectares (30 million acres) over 2010 (James 2011).There are 29 countries planting biotech crops in 2011, it is noteworthy that 19 were developing and 10 were industrial countries (see Table 1 a

34、nd Figure 2). The top 10 countries each grew more than 1 million hectares providing a broad-based worldwide foundation for diversified growth in the future; as a matter of fact, nine countries in the top ten each grew more than 2 million hectares (James 2011). Table 1. Global Area of Biotech Crops i

35、n 2011: by Country (Million Hectares)* (Source: James 2011)* 17 biotech mega-countries growing 50,000 hectares, or more, of biotech crops* Rounded off to the nearest hundred thousandFigure 2. Global Map of Biotech Crop Countries Mega-Countries in 2011 (Source: James 2011)The data analysis presented

36、in Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2011 (James 2011) shows that a total of 16.7 million farmers grew biotech crops in 2011, up 1.3 million from 2010 notably, 15 million or 90% were small resource-poor farmers from developing countries. In 2011, a record 16.7 million farmers, up 1.3

37、 million or 8% from 2010, grew biotech crops notably, over 90%, or 15 million, were small resource-poor farmers in developing countries (James 2011). Farmers are the masters of risk aversion and in 2011, 7 million small farmers in China and another 7 million small farmers in India, collectively plan

38、ted a record 14.5 million hectares of biotech crops. Bt cotton increased the income of farmers significantly by up to US$250 per hectare and also halved the number of insecticide sprays, thus reducing farmer exposure to pesticides. Developing countries grew close to 50% (49.875%) of global biotech c

39、rops in 2011 and for the first time are expected to exceed industrial countries hectarage in 2012; this is contrary to the prediction of critics who, prior to the commercialization of the technology in 1996, prematurely declared that biotech crops were only for industrial countries and would never b

40、e accepted and adopted by developing countries (James 2011). In 2011, the growth rate for biotech crops was twice as fast and twice as large in developing countries, at 11% or 8.2 million hectares, versus 5% or 3.8 million hectares in industrial countries. During the period 1996-2010 cummulative eco

41、nomic benefits were the same for developing and developed countries (US$39 billion) (James 2011). For 2010 alone, economic benefits for developing countries were higher at US$7.7 billion compared with US$6.3 billion for developed countries. The five lead developing countries in biotech crops are Chi

42、na and India in Asia, Brazil and Argentina in Latin America, and South Africa on the continent of Africa, collectively grew 71.4 million hectares (44% of global) and together represent 40% of the global population of 7 billion, which could reach 10.1 billion by 2100. Remarkably, Africa alone could e

43、scalate from 1 billion today (15% of global) to a possible high of 3.6 billion (35% of global) by the end of this century in 2100 global food security, exacerbated by high and unaffordable food prices, is a formidable challenge to which biotech crops can contribute but are not a panacea (James 2011)

44、. 2.5 Genetically Modified Food in ChinaChina now is following the global trends by moving forward with GM crops. China has been planting GM cotton since 1997, and currently, an estimated 71 per cent of its total cotton area is planted with GM seeds. The International Service for the Acquisition of

45、Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) estimates that up to 7 million small cotton farmers in China have already increased their income by approximately $220 per hectare, largely thanks to a 60 per cent reduction in the need to spray insecticides. Furthermore in 2009, Chinas biosafety regulators also app

46、roved both GM rice and a variety of GM maize. China has also approved and successfully grown GM papaya, and even GM poplar trees, improved for insect resistance. China doesnt panic over foreign corporate influence; it has developed GM rice, maize, and cotton within its own public sector institutions

47、, using public resources (James 2011 and Paarlberg 2012).3Stakeholders3.1Domestic3.1.1 The Agricultural Ministry of ChinaAgricultural development in China is now under double restrictions of resources and markets, which makes it a very arduous task to develop agriculture in a sound and fast way. Agr

48、icultural development will promote higher grain production, better returns in agriculture and increased income of farmers as our central tasks. And energetically to make greater efforts in policy support, increase inputs to agriculture and rural areas, deepen restructuring, accelerate progress in sc

49、ience and technology, upgrade equipment and facilities, improve cultural and scientific levels of farmers, and improve the performance, returns and competitiveness of agriculture in an all-round way (Agricultural Ministry of China 2012).3.1.2 The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)CAAS w

50、as established in 1957 and is affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Peoples Republic of China. It is mainly engaged in agricultural applied research, applied basic research and high- and new-technology research. CAAS plays an important role in solving the sci-tech issues with general, dir

51、ectional and critical importance in Chinas agricultural and rural development as well as in training high-level agricultural research professionals and unfolding international exchange and cooperation in agricultural science and technology (CAAS 2012).3.1.3 Chinese Center for Disease Control and Pre

52、ventionChinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) is a nonprofit institution working in the fields of disease control and prevention, public health management and provision of service (China CDC 2012).3.2International 3.2.1 International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech

53、 Applications (ISAAA)ISAAAs global knowledge sharing network and public and private sector partnerships in the research and development continuum provide a powerful combination of science-based information and appropriate technology to those who need to make informed decisions about their acceptance

54、 and use. In addition, an array of support services completes the holistic approach to agricultural development and ensures effective implementation and timely delivery of crop biotechnologies. These services include capacity building for policy makers and scientists; regulatory oversight on such is

55、sues as biosafety and food safety; and impact assessment (ISAAA 2012).3.2.2 World Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping t

56、he health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends (World Health Organization 2012).4Regulations on Administration of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms Safet

57、yChina has had a strong commitment to biotech research since the early 1990s, the country has imposed regulations. The "Regulation on the Safety Administration of Agricultural GM Organisms" requires all GM products entering China for research, production, or processing have safety certificates from the Chinese agricultural ministry to ensure that they are safe for human consumption, animals, and the environment. Labeling is required by the Chinese agricultural ministry's "Regulations on Labeling Agricultural GM Biological Products" for