The GM experiment should not be a farce

On the morning of the 7th, under the guidance of academicians from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the director of the National Maize Improvement Engineering Center, Dai Jingrui, over 20 participants visited a genetically modified corn testing site at China Agricultural University to harvest and cook GM corn. Fang Xiangzi, who organized the event and is a well-known science communicator, emphasized that while the taste of genetically modified corn may not hold scientific significance, it carries great educational value. He argued that people should be given more opportunities to consume genetically modified foods daily, as part of broader public engagement with science. According to historical records, humans have existed for millions of years, and if we consider evolutionary timelines, our history stretches even further. In comparison, China’s recorded civilization spans five thousand years, yet during this time, no genetic modification was ever developed or implemented. If it's true that Americans have been consuming genetically modified foods since 1990, what does that truly prove? Proponents of genetic modification argue that long-term effects are not immediately visible, and when compared to the vast expanse of human history—spanning millions of years—decades of exposure seem trivial. Is it reasonable to conclude that genetically modified foods are safe based on such short-term studies? In Chinese mythology, Shen Nong tasted hundreds of herbs, but this story likely represents collective efforts rather than the work of one individual. Over thousands of years, people experimented with various plants, gradually discovering which could heal diseases and which were safe to eat. Even then, traditional Chinese medicine continues to be rigorously tested by practitioners who take a scientific approach. Similarly, acupuncture is still practiced in certain medical traditions. Who would dare claim that a specific herb can be consumed daily, or that a particular supplement is safe for everyone? China, as a major agricultural nation, has cultivated its farming systems for thousands of years. The selection and breeding of crops during this time relied on natural processes, not modern genetic testing. Genetically modified foods represent a new kind of genetic experiment, one that could either be scientifically sound, or potentially harmful. However, verifying the safety of these foods requires far more time than just a few decades. It may take centuries before we can confidently assess their long-term impact. After all, it took millennia for humans to determine which foods were safe to eat. The claim that "Americans have been eating GM foods since 1990" is misleading. Are all Americans consuming only genetically modified foods, or just a portion of them? And do they completely avoid traditional crops? Even if this were true, it wouldn’t justify changing the scientific standards for GM foods globally. Some genetic modifications might affect specific populations while leaving others unharmed, much like how certain bacteria can harm individuals with particular genetic traits. The GM food experiment is not a marketing campaign, nor is it an official push by government agencies. It shouldn’t rely on a few experts tasting a few samples and promoting the product. Instead, it must be grounded in rigorous scientific research tailored to China’s unique conditions. Such an experiment needs at least a century to yield reliable results. Otherwise, it risks becoming nothing more than a farce, far worse than any deceptive commercial promotion. (Red Net / Li Zhenzhong)

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