Biotech Updates

Chinese University Holds GM Rice Taste Testing

October 30, 2013

Some 260 Chinese volunteers gathered on October 19, 2013 at Huazhong Agriculture University (HAU) in China to have a taste of cakes and porridge made of genetically modified rice. This initiative aims to reassure the public about the safety of GM food. The GM rice used included the vitamin A-enriched Golden Rice which is grown in the university.

The volunteers came from different provinces and municipalities. They signed up for the event through the social messaging software known as QQ. According to HAU professor Yan Jianbing, the taste test is the best strategy to dispel doubts about GM food and increase its public acceptance. Similar taste testing events were also held since May in more than 20 cities gathering over 1,000 participants.

Read more at http://oryza.com/news/research-development/china-develops-taste-gmo-rice and http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2013/10/23/china-pushes-genetically-modified-food-draft/.