Well, those cautious Europeans have commented on the Chinese work. An EU scientific delegation visiting China in 1995 to evaluate biosafety gave the programme a tick, with their conclusions reflecting those of the Chinese scientists. Who, where, what and how must be asked. Frankly, this is the first time I have heard that China would be setting the pace and be a benchmark in gene technology and its application in agriculture. Now we do neither live in China, nor in 1995.
Risk management is fundamental.
If research and subsequent use are prudently supervised, the benefits will be limitless. Currently in the pipeline are plants that are disease resistant, tolerant of heat, cold, salt and water, or containing higher vitamin, protein and mineral content. Other work covers biodegradable plastics and plants that will clean toxins and heavy metals from the environment. The risk of the releases of genetically engineered organisms cannot be managed. The risks are unknown and therefore enormous.