Political advisors discuss GM crops in China

Senior political advisors discussed genetically modified (GM) crops at a bi-weekly consultation session on Thursday.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), hosted and addressed the meeting.

According to a statement issued after the session, members of the CPPCC suggested that China research, promote and supervise GM crops from the perspective of overall national interest and long-term development.

They suggested that the government should emphasize basic research while encouraging enterprises to play a more active role in applied research.

The political advisors urged caution in promoting GM crops, especially GM staple foods, taking the current level of public knowledge and acceptance into consideration.

Also, tougher regulations, stricter law enforcement, bigger fund as well as third-party testing agencies are called for in an improved supervision system for GM crops that guarantees consumers' rights to information and choice. Endi