China aspires to create genetically modified seeds in outer space

Chinese scientists use satellites to send seeds and plants into space, taking advantage of high radioactivity to create gene mutations that cannot occur on Earth.

Chinese scientists are planning to launch a reusable satellite, carrying nearly 500kg of living matter in an experiment to grow food in space.

"Passengers" on satellites include more than 240 kg of seeds and plants, along with many types of micro-emergency. The project will be implemented in early 2020. Scientists expect cosmic radiation will trigger unprecedented or near-impossible genetic changes under conditions on Earth.

Chinese researchers consider this to be one of the world's largest projects on genetic modification experiments with the impact of radiation in space.

Shijian 8 satellite, the first device in the world to carry a genetically modified laboratory sample(Photo: Weibo).

The flight can last for 2 weeks. Seeds will experience extreme conditions such as insufficient oxygen, temperatures as low as 0 degrees, and high levels of radiation.

After the package returned to Earth, the scientists planted and tracked the development process, recording unusual signs such as increased yields or changing colors. Seed samples suitable for commercialization will be selected for development.

Many countries in the past decades have also sent crops into space , experimenting with genetic modification to increase yields. Among them, China is the leading country in terms of determination and research scale.

The knowledge gained from the national space program has helped China increase nearly 1.3 million tons of total rice production each year. Food security is a serious problem in China. The country accounts for nearly 20% of the world's population but only about 9% of arable land.

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