Li Xiang

Journal of South China Normal University (SocialScience Edition) 2015(1)

Abstract: Due to the fierce quarrel between Cui Yongyuan and Fang Zhouzi, the safety of GMF and its regulation attracted the attention of the public. People surprisingly found GMFwas not restricted within lads of research institutions, instead it has becomevarious kinds of foods on our dinner tables. Although whether GMF was safe ornot has been a question of science, it is important to regulate its process of merchandising through the way of legislation, when scientists could not reach acommon understanding. Because our current GMF regulations had flaws, we should learn from other developed countries’ legislation experience.

Key words: Genetic Modified Foods; right to know; substantial equivalence; precautionary principle

This article can be divided into four parts.

The first part presents the plight of GMF regulation in China. The author think it isa difficult choice. On one hand, the security of GMF is still a disputed problem. On the other hand, producing GMF is an effective method to guarantee the plenty of food in China.

In the second part, the author lists the current status and shortage of GMF regulation in China. Firstly, it is the lack of GMF regulation. Secondly, no specific legislation of GMF now in China. Thirdly, the legislations which havebeen published are too principled to implement in practice. Fourthly, the legislations couldn’t reflect a consumer-oriented legislative concept.

The third part is about the investigation of GMF regulation in developed countries.In the United States, the standard to judge the security of GMF is the substantial equivalence principle. In the Europe, the examination and approval procedures aremore stringent. While, in some countries, such as Japan and the South Korea, theypermits the sales of GMF, on condition that the security  be guaranteed.

The fourth part is the introspection in the improvement of GMF regulation in China.Firstly, the government should clarify the policy orientation. Secondly, the government should make clear that the security of GMF is a political questionor a scientific question. Thirdly, the government should recognize its correctrole in the commercialization and industrialization of GMF.