Reason.com
Biotech victory in China
Enhanced Rice
The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture announced in November that it had approved biotech varieties of rice and corn, with large-scale commercial production slated to begin in two years. The new crop varieties were created by researchers inside China. Analysts estimate that planting the strains will boost yields by 30 percent.
The Chinese corn produces phytase, which helps animals absorb phosphorous, a major manure-based pollutant. Corn modified to resist pests and herbicides is a staple in the U.S. and 16 other countries, but until now no biotech rice varieties have been approved for commercialization. China, which grows about 30 percent of the world’s rice, is the top producer and consumer of the grain. The European Commission, which tightly regulates biotech crops, has ordered that all Chinese rice products be tested for genetic modification before they can be imported.
Meanwhile, the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines is finally scheduled to release golden rice, a variety that has been genetically enhanced to produce the precursor to vitamin A, in 2011. Nearly 40 percent of children in developing countries consume inadequate amounts of vitamin A, which can lead to blindness and impaired immune systems.
More Articles by Ronald Bailey
- Separating Church and State Money, Ronald Bailey, May 24, 2012
- The Ethics of Egg Freezing, Ronald Bailey, May 22, 2012
- China Needs the Rule of Law, Ronald Bailey, May 16, 2012
Most Popular Stories
- St. Louis Cops Worry That In-Car Cameras 'Are Being Used Against Them' (5.23)
- Here Are the 15 Senators Who Voted to Stop Armed FDA Agents From Conducting Warrantless Raids on America's Farmers (Not One of Them is a Democrat) (5.24)
- Reason "Hero of Freedom" Larry Flynt's Latest Stunt? Photoshopping a Penis into Mouth of Conservative Pundit S.E. Cupp (5.24)
- Plastic Bag Ban Will Put Los Angeles In Landfill (5.23)
- A Report From Obama’s “Humane” Drug War: “My son screamed for his mother for what seemed like an eternity” (5.20)
Reason RUPE: Public Opinion Survey
- Reason-Rupe: Wisconsinites Favor Increasing Public Union Retirement Contributions to Address Budget Deficit (5.25)
- Reason-Rupe Poll Finds Support for Public Union Reforms (5.25)
- New Poll: Obama Leads Romney In Wisconsin, But Gary Johnson Could Impact the Race (5.24)
- Wisconsin Recall: Walker Leads Barrett 50-42 Among Likely Voters (5.24)
- Reason-Rupe Poll: Walker Leads Barrett 50-42, Obama Leads Romney 46-36 (5.24)
advertisements
Get Reason E-mail Updates!
Manage your Reason e-mail list subscriptionsSite comments/questions:
Media Inquiries and Reprint Permissions:
(310) 367-6109
Editorial & Production Offices:
3415 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 391-2245
Editor's Note: We invite comments and request that they be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of Reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment or disable your ability to comment for any reason at any time.
abercrombie milano|5.27.10 @ 2:51AM|#
I just need this, Well done! Many thanks.
nfl jerseys|11.4.10 @ 11:27PM|#
retr
nfl jerseys|11.4.10 @ 11:28PM|#
mfu
nike air max|8.2.11 @ 2:40AM|#
is good
moncler outlet|12.2.11 @ 1:43AM|#
good