글로벌 GM 작물 실용화를 위한 중국의 GM 작물 안전관리제도 분석

Analysis of risk management system of GM crops in China for the development of global GM crops

We analysed the current status of development of GM crops and national biosafety framework including legislation-related agricultural GMO in China to provide the policy for the development of global GM crops in Korea. In China, several GM crops including cotton, petunia, tomato, sweet pepper, poplar, and papaya have been approved for commercialization and they have been cultivated at more than 4 million ha. In addition, GM rice and GM maize have also obtained approval for productive testing in 2009. China will be the first country to approve GM rice for commercialization. Prior to commercialization in China, all GM crops must be approved by government authority for biosafety assessment specified by national legislation including restricted field testing, enlarged field testing, productive testing and safety certificate. According to China`s legislation, agricultural GMOs have been classified by research and testing, production and processing. All GMOs must go through 3 steps of field testing (restricted, enlarged and productive). Prior to conducting each field testing, it has to be approved by government authority. It is assumed that at least one to two years will be taken for each step of field testing (total 4 to 8 years to obtain the final safety certificate) along with a large amount of budget.