In a significant development, China has granted safety approval for gene-edited wheat, marking a milestone as Beijing cautiously moves forward with the commercial cultivation of genetically modified food crops. This marks the first time China has approved the safety of gene-edited wheat, signaling a strategic shift in the country’s approach to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture.
Over the past year, China has accelerated approvals for genetically modified corn and soybean seeds, aimed at enhancing yield and resistance to insects and herbicides to ensure food security. However, the adoption of these GMOs remains slow and cautious due to lingering concerns regarding their potential impact on health and the environment.
Gene editing, unlike traditional genetic modification, involves altering existing genes within a plant to enhance performance, viewed by some scientists as a less risky approach. This distinction has prompted increased interest and acceptance among regulators and stakeholders.
Despite China’s reliance on imported genetically modified crops for animal feed, domestic production of GM food crops for human consumption has faced scrutiny from consumers concerned about safety. The approval of gene-edited disease-resistant wheat is particularly significant, given wheat’s prominence in Chinese cuisine, used extensively in staple foods like pasta, noodles, and bread.
The recent approval is regarded as a pivotal moment, offering prospects for broader approvals of gene-edited crops in the future. Additionally, China is anticipated to introduce new regulations this year regarding the labeling of genetically modified crops used in food products, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and consumer awareness.
In tandem with the wheat approval, China’s agriculture ministry also sanctioned a new variety of genetically modified corn with herbicide and insect-resistant traits, along with a gene-edited corn variety known for its higher yield. These developments underscore China’s efforts to bolster domestic production and reduce reliance on imported grains, aligning with its broader agricultural goals.
