China is set to award safety certificates for genetically-modified corn, paving the way for domestic production as the world’s most-populous country turns to the controversial technology to boost food security.
Two strains of GMO corn, one developed by Beijing Dabeinong Technology Group Co. and another by Zhejiang University and a biological company in Hangzhou, are likely to be given safety certificates. The strains will be suitable for growth in the country’s northern areas, according to a list published by the agriculture ministry.
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In 2009, China gave approval to develop a type of engineered corn known as phytase, which allows livestock to better process phosphate in animal feed, but the country never put the strain into commercial production. While China is a major producer of GMO cotton, it has not allowed any modified grains for production yet. Still, domestic media reported in 2017 that farmers in some areas were growing GMO crops illegally.
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China will also issue safety certificates for GMO soybeans developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which is suitable for growth in the country’s southern areas, the ministry said
Read full, original article: China Set to Approve Local GMO Corn to Boost Food Security
