Chinese Genetic Modified Wheat
BEIJING (APRNEWS) - China has approved genetically edited wheat's safety for the first time, marking a step towards opening up the technology for food crops as Beijing cautiously progresses in commercially cultivating genetically modified crops.
Over the past year, China has increased approvals for genetically modified maize and soybean seeds, which are more productive and resistant to insects and herbicides, to ensure food security. However, adoption remains slow and cautious due to concerns about their impact on health and the environment.
China primarily imports genetically modified crops like maize and soybeans for animal feed and grows non-genetically modified varieties for human consumption. Many Chinese consumers remain concerned about the safety of genetically modified food crops.
The approval of genetically edited disease-resistant wheat is considered a milestone, as the ingredient used to make pasta, noodles, and bread is primarily cultivated for human consumption. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of wheat.
"It's a significant step; we can see the light for China to open approvals to other food crops," said an industry executive.
Unlike genetic modification, which introduces foreign genes into a plant, genetic editing alters existing genes to change or improve their performance, and some scientists consider it less risky than genetic modification.
Beijing is also expected to approve new regulations this year for labeling genetically modified crops used in food products, state media reported in March.
The Ministry of Agriculture also approved on Wednesday a new variety of genetically modified maize with herbicide and insect resistance traits, as well as a genetically edited maize variety with higher yield.
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