Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in the metabolic process of oxygen in cells. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in cells systemize the antioxidant enzymes to control the oxidative stress. Genistein is one of the isoflavonoids, and its role in controlling cellular oxidative stress is presently the active issue at question. In this study, we analyzed genistein induced survival rates of the CHO-K1 cells, activities of antioxidant enzymes, ROS levels, and expression levels of antioxidant enzyme genes in order to investigate the effect of genistein on cellular ROS production and antioxidative systems in CHO-K1 cells. As results, the survival rate of cells was decreased as the dose of genistein increases (12.5~200μM). Genistein increased cellular ROS levels, while it reduced total SOD activities and the expression of CuZnSOD. In conclusion, we suggest that genistein may induce oxidative strss via down-regulation of SOD.