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Multiple lines of transgenic rice expressing insecticidal genes from the bacteriumย Bacillus thuringiensisย (Bt) have been developed in China, posing the prospect of increases in production with decreased application of pesticides. A body of safety assessment work onย Btย rice has shown thatย Btย rice poses a negligible risk to the environment and thatย Btย rice products are as safe as non-Btย control rice products as food.
China has a relatively well-developed regulatory system for risk assessment and management of genetically modified (GM) plants; however, decision-making regarding approval of commercial production has become politicized, and twoย Btย rice lines that otherwise were ready have not been allowed to enter the Chinese agricultural system.
We predict that Chinese farmers would value the prospect of increased yield with decreased use of pesticide and would readily adopt production ofย Btย rice. Thatย Btย rice lines may not be commercialized in the near future we attribute to social pressures, largely due to the low level of understanding and acceptance of GM crops by Chinese consumers.
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Hence, enhancing communication of GM crop science-related issues to the public is an important, unmet need.
Read full, original post:ย The development and status of Bt rice in China
