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)
