China is a signatory of the International Bio Safety Protocol, which should mean adherence to global standards governing the conduct of field trials. But some observers are sceptical. If shortcuts are taken, then some of the recent scientific achievements trumpeted in the official press may never make it to market. But no matter how stringent lab tests are, other problems lie in wait. For example, there is a backlog of several years in the patents office, says one lawyer, leaving innovators with little protection if they take a product to market in China.
Questions also remain about the spread of genetically modified crops in China.
GM foods are likely to become a part of trade disputes with China's big trading partners after the country enters the World Trade Organization. On this issue, China is in a bind. Conscious of shrinking arable land and water resources, it feels compelled to develop high-yield crop strains. And while it has been careful to contain the use of GM crops, potential exports to some neighbouring countries and Europe could be hurt by consumer lobbies suspicious of China's agricultural practices. Like the EU, they have done field tests with genetically modified corn, rice and soy and have only limited production.