① What is genetically modified?
Transgenic technology is a modern molecular biotechnology, which introduces artificially separated and modified genes into the genome of the target organism, thus transforming the organism.
The theoretical basis of transgenic technology comes from molecular biology derived from evolution. The source of gene fragment can be the target gene needed to extract the genome of a specific organism, or it can be a synthetic DNA fragment with a specific sequence. The DNA fragment is transferred into a specific organism, recombined with its own genome, and then the generations are artificially selected from the recombinant, so as to obtain individuals with stable specific heritability.
To put it simply, transgenic means infecting another gene with one gene, recombining the genome and adjusting itself according to human requirements.
② Safety.
Whether GM is safe remains to be verified.
Because some ingredients in genetically modified foods are never found in traditional foods. Modern biotechnology can transfer other biological genes into plants, and introduce exogenous genes of viruses, bacteria and non-edible varieties, as well as antibiotic resistance genes in marker genes into edible crops, which cannot be realized by traditional breeding techniques. Moreover, modern genetic engineering is still relatively young, and no one can say for sure what consequences these genetic changes will have in the future. Therefore, the safety inspection requirements of this kind of food in various countries are stricter than those produced by traditional methods. As of 20 13, the safety evaluation method based on the principle of substantial equivalence has been widely adopted internationally.
Second: advantages and disadvantages
1 advantages.
Genetically modified food has many advantages: it can increase crop yield; The production cost can be reduced; Can enhance the ability of crops to resist pests and viruses; Improve the storability of agricultural products.
For example: genetically modified food-potatoes; Shorten crop development time; Remove the supply of four seasons; Breaking species boundaries, constantly cultivating new species and producing food beneficial to human health.
2 shortcomings.
Genetically modified food also has disadvantages: the so-called increase in production is achieved without environmental impact, and if it encounters natural disasters such as rain and snow, it may reduce production even more. At the same time, in the process of planting, transgenic crops may evolve into farmland weeds; It may affect other species through gene drift; Genetically modified foods may cause allergies.
Third: public opinion survey
1 network dispute.
The debate about the safety of genetically modified foods has recently become popular on the Internet. A Weibo debate between Cui Yongyuan, a famous former host of CCTV, and Fang, a fighter against counterfeiting, attracted online onlookers.
Since the development of transgenic technology, there have been many rumors about transgenic technology, and scientists have also proved the innocence of transgenic technology with strong evidence. (For example, the Pustai case happened in 1998).
2 public opinion.
1. The safety of genetically modified foods is both a scientific issue and a social issue, and the public has the right to question it. It's too overbearing to equate questioning with "spreading rumors".
2. Genetically modified foods have safety risks, and "substantial equivalence" does not mean "substantial safety". Traditional food also needs supervision, and patent application and food safety are two issues.
Fourth: No advertising.
20 14,10 in June, the Ministry of Agriculture sent a letter to the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, requesting to strengthen the management of advertisements involving genetically modified organisms. 10 On June 9th, the official of CCTV Advertising Department said that it was forbidden to use misleading advertising words such as "healthier and safer" in non-GM advertisements.
Strengthen the review of advertisements for genetically modified and non-genetically modified products. Among them, there are no advertisements for crops such as rice and peanuts and their processed products that are commercially planted with genetically modified varieties in China and around the world, and the use of non-genetically modified advertising words is prohibited; Advertisements for products and processed products such as soybeans and rapeseed that have been commercially planted with genetically modified varieties are prohibited from using words with non-genetically modified effects, such as misleading advertising words such as healthier and safer, in addition to collecting certification materials as required.