An Asian perspective on GMO and biotechnology issues.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Biotechnology
• Food Science

Background:

• Global biotech crop area reached 102 million hectares in 2006, with Asia utilizing only 7.6 million hectares.
• Three major biotech crops (cotton, corn, canola) are approved and planted in four Asian countries.
• Significant volumes of genetically modified (GM) crop material are imported into Asia for food and animal feed processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the current status and key issues surrounding the adoption and import of biotech crops in Asia.
• To understand the concerns of Asian scientists, regulators, and the public regarding GM crops.
• To assess the future outlook for GM crops in meeting Asia's food demands.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of global and regional biotech crop cultivation data.
• Review of regulatory frameworks for GM crop commercialization and food safety in Asian countries.
• Summary of public and expert concerns regarding biosafety, food safety, ethics, and socio-economic impacts.

Main Results:

• Biotech crop cultivation in Asia is limited but growing, with significant imports of GM food and feed.
• Asian regulatory systems for GM crops are established, addressing biosafety and food safety.
• Key concerns include cultural/religious objections, technology dependency, and perceived health risks, though scientific evidence for the latter is lacking.

Conclusions:

• Despite limited domestic cultivation, GM crops are increasingly present in Asian diets due to substantial imports.
• Cultural, ethical, and socio-economic factors significantly influence GM crop acceptance in Asia.
• Asia's rising food demand suggests a growing role for GM crops, necessitating continued regulatory oversight and public engagement.