China Discusses Benefits of GM Crops with Media

"Do GM crops benefit the producer or the consumer?" This was the main concern of communication practitioners during the media workshop held by the Chinese Society of Biotechnology (CSBT) and the China Biotechnology Information Center (ChinaBIC) of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications at Pangu 7 Star Hotel, Beijing on July 9, 2009. More than 20  journalists from trade and general/business media attended the workshop. "Biotechnology Application Prospect and Agricultural Sustainable Development" aimed to set up and strengthen the relationship between public/private sector and key media, and create a good information environment.

Prof. Zhu Zhen, vice president of CSBT and member of the Expert Council of ChinaBIC, officiated the workshop. Prof. Lin Min, director general of Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, presented the biotechnology research accomplishments and application prospects in China. He stressed that "biotechnology is a crucial complement to conventional technology. The development process for biotechnology industrialization should not be blocked." Mr. Mike Frank, vice president, Monsanto Company and President, Monsanto Greater China, briefed the media on the biotechnology progress abroad. Resource persons were unanimous in saying that the first generation GM crops directly benefits farmers while consumers will also gain from the next generation of GM crops.  

For more information on the Chinese agri-biotech industry, contact Prof. Zhang Hongxiang of ISAAA ChinaBic at zhanghx@mail.las.ac.cn