China has strengthened management on trans-genetic studies and
experiments in a move to carry out an international agreement on
bio-safety the country signed early this month.
China signed the Cartagena Protocol on Bio-safety of the Convention
on Biological Diversity at the headquarters of the United Nations
in New York on August 8 this year.
The protocol is aimed to ensure "an adequate level of protection in
the areas of the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified
organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have
adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity," while taking into account risks to human
health, and specifically focusing on trans-boundary movements.
In
the past dozen years, biological technology has been developing
rapidly in China. Some 22 kinds of trans-genetic crops and trees
which are of good quality and resist pests and disease have been
used for field experiments.
According to statistics, China ranks fourth in trans-genetic crop
experiment and production in the world.
China also imports LMOs such as trans-genetic soybeans, and has
established joint ventures with some foreign enterprises engaged in
biological research and development.
However, the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA)
said effective measures must be taken to strengthen inspection and
management of LMOs research and production to guard against
possible adverse effect on the biological diversity, ecological
environment and human health in China.
The SEPA has issued the Framework of China State Bio-safety with
the help of departments of science and technology, agriculture,
forestry, education, and medicine inspection and will continue to
build a national system for the inspection and technological
support of bio-safety in accordance with the framework.
(www.eastday.com)