Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Chinese say "no" to genetically modified rice...


“We don’t want GE rice!” is the clear message that has rung loud and clear in China. Here at the Greenpeace office in Beijing, we have been getting more and more calls and emails from parents, housewives, college students, seed sellers, and even farmers, all with the same question: How can I avoid genetically engineered (GE)rice? We can feel the anxiety and anger about GE food in these calls, and now it is even clearer. A recent survey we commissioned showed that 69% of mainland consumers and 79% of Hong Kong consumers do not want GE rice.

Rice is the most important staple food for Chinese people. It plays an important role in Chinese culture,tradition, history and social life, with a history of 7,000 years of growing thousands of rice varieties. As babies we are fed rice porridge and rice is an intricate part of nearly all our meals. Unfortunately, rice, our daily food, is now at risk: despite the people’s rejection, GE rice is on the edge of commercialization. More...

Don't miss:
  1. China making fake rice from plastic?
  2. Malaysia releases 6,000 genetically modified mosquitoes...
  3. Pigs refuse to eat genetically modified corn...
  4. India's GM aubergine stirs up bitter debate. More profits or more suicides?
  5. Swiss scientists unveil genetically modified iron-enriched super-rice... 

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