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China’s Ministry of Agriculture was drawn under heavy scrutiny recently as it allowed the importation of three kinds of genetically modified soy beans. Even though the government reiterated that genetically modified foods （GM foods） are safe， many people still worry about the potential damage and criticize the governmental department for their “irresponsible decision”.
Why do Chinese people hate the GM foods？ One of the experts blamed this for the media’s“irresponsible reports” that “demonized the GM goods”.
Actually， the safety of GM foods has been under debate since its birth. Proofs to support its goodness and badness were found through different experiments. In 1998， Prof. Pusztai at British Rowett Institute warned people about the GM food which was widely spread in spite of the unwarranted safety. In 2005， The Independent reported about Monsanto Company’s test which proved the mutation of mice’s organs and blood after being fed with GM foods. In 2009， the American Academy of Environmental Medicine declared that GM foods are perilous to people’s safety and advised the masses to avoid them as much as possible.
Therefore， many countries banned GM foods in the laws. For example， Mexico called for a stop of planting GM corns. The European Union stopped importing GM foods. Japan， Australia and New Zealand required the GM foods to be identified and labeled to show the contents of GM part. Many supermarkets in Great Britain forbad using GM materials for processed food.
Similarly， China is studying into the GM foods as well. Previously， a source close to the agriculture said that the GM soybeans that are resistant to herbicide also have fewer anti-cancer elements. The insect-resistant corns could kill both the pests and beneficial insects. GM potatoes can damage animals’ organs and immunity system. Then， what about people？
Dong Jinshi， a famous environmental chemist said that no confirmed results have been gained to show the harm of GM foods to human. And no reports denied the possible damages. He advised people， especially kids and pregnant women， to avoid eating GM foods to keep any potential damages at bay.
But the ultimate responsibility lies with the government， which is advised to， and should， consider the uncertain influence of GM goods on animals and mankind. It is not a wise decision to allow the importation of GM foods just because“no proof is found to demonstrate its benefits or damages”. The commercialization of GM foods， especially the GM rice – the most important food for China – should be progressed based on careful consideration， accurate tests and patient experiments.
It is worthwhile to mention that the expert that blamed media for “demonizing GM foods”has another role – the board chairman of a Beijing-based agricultural technology company. This company is mainly engaged in the production and processing of GM corns.
The importation of GM foods is not a simple matter only involving the Ministry of Agriculture. The right of approving GM foods should be only given to the Ministry of Agriculture as well. The GM foods are closely related with the sciences of environment， heredity， medicine， food and economy. Thus various departments need to work together to discuss this matter. If the decision is roughly made without any consideration， it will affect the survival of Chinese people.
Why do Chinese people hate the GM foods？ One of the experts blamed this for the media’s“irresponsible reports” that “demonized the GM goods”.
Actually， the safety of GM foods has been under debate since its birth. Proofs to support its goodness and badness were found through different experiments. In 1998， Prof. Pusztai at British Rowett Institute warned people about the GM food which was widely spread in spite of the unwarranted safety. In 2005， The Independent reported about Monsanto Company’s test which proved the mutation of mice’s organs and blood after being fed with GM foods. In 2009， the American Academy of Environmental Medicine declared that GM foods are perilous to people’s safety and advised the masses to avoid them as much as possible.
Therefore， many countries banned GM foods in the laws. For example， Mexico called for a stop of planting GM corns. The European Union stopped importing GM foods. Japan， Australia and New Zealand required the GM foods to be identified and labeled to show the contents of GM part. Many supermarkets in Great Britain forbad using GM materials for processed food.
Similarly， China is studying into the GM foods as well. Previously， a source close to the agriculture said that the GM soybeans that are resistant to herbicide also have fewer anti-cancer elements. The insect-resistant corns could kill both the pests and beneficial insects. GM potatoes can damage animals’ organs and immunity system. Then， what about people？
Dong Jinshi， a famous environmental chemist said that no confirmed results have been gained to show the harm of GM foods to human. And no reports denied the possible damages. He advised people， especially kids and pregnant women， to avoid eating GM foods to keep any potential damages at bay.
But the ultimate responsibility lies with the government， which is advised to， and should， consider the uncertain influence of GM goods on animals and mankind. It is not a wise decision to allow the importation of GM foods just because“no proof is found to demonstrate its benefits or damages”. The commercialization of GM foods， especially the GM rice – the most important food for China – should be progressed based on careful consideration， accurate tests and patient experiments.
It is worthwhile to mention that the expert that blamed media for “demonizing GM foods”has another role – the board chairman of a Beijing-based agricultural technology company. This company is mainly engaged in the production and processing of GM corns.
The importation of GM foods is not a simple matter only involving the Ministry of Agriculture. The right of approving GM foods should be only given to the Ministry of Agriculture as well. The GM foods are closely related with the sciences of environment， heredity， medicine， food and economy. Thus various departments need to work together to discuss this matter. If the decision is roughly made without any consideration， it will affect the survival of Chinese people.