In 2011 began planting genetically modified plants

Before the challenge every year, there is an additional 1 million tons of food, the agricultural sector is expected to start producing genetically modified crops in 2011. However, there is still a lack of legal corridors to manage biosecurity.

On August 28, in Hanoi, the General Department of Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) and the Institute of Biotechnology (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) organized the National Conference on Genetically Modified Organisms and Biosafety management.

More than 180 scientists, managers and businesses operating in the field of biotechnology and biosafety focus on discussing issues related to research and development of genetically modified organisms and commercial products. Chemical and biosecurity management to minimize potential risks.

Vietnam is experimenting with breeding anti-virus papaya to cause ring spot disease.(Photo: Tien Dung)

According to the General Director of Environment Bui Cach Tuyen, the application of biotechnology in recent years has achieved great achievements and has more and more wide applications, especially creating modified organisms. The gene carries the desired traits of high value. However, it is necessary to set up a legal corridor to manage biosafety issues .

And Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Xuan Cuong said that despite helping to produce a large amount of food to meet the needs of people all over the world, genetically modified technology is creating risks, threatening threatening the safety of natural ecological systems as well as human life, so measures must be taken to limit possible risks.

" This workshop aims to improve the draft of the Biosafety Decree with genetically modified organisms. After today, the drafting committee will have more materials before submitting to the Government of this Decree, " Cuong added. .

Referring to opportunities and challenges of genetically modified organisms, Prof. Le Tran Binh, Institute of Biotechnology, said that transgenic plants not only create plants capable of resisting viral and bacterial diseases, fungi, herbicide resistant . but also contribute to the clean cultivation industry, less chemicals . However, along with that, this crop is also facing cost challenges in assessing potential risks, food safety and environmental impacts.

Meanwhile, according to the director of the Le Duy Ham Agricultural Genetics Institute, although each year our country loses about 50,000-70,000 hectares of cultivated land, the current population growth rate requires the agricultural sector to provide an additional 1 million tons. Food. Global climate change leads to saline intrusion, flooding and epidemics, which has caused our country to be listed as one of eight countries with food security risks in Asia.

" Modern biotechnology and gene technology is one of the most important tools to achieve this goal. The period 2011-2015 will put some genetically modified crops into production and 2020 area. some genetically modified crops (cotton, corn, soybean) reached 30-50%, "Mr. Ham said.

Every year, Vietnam exports 4-5 million tons of rice but has to import 2 million tons of soybeans, 1 million tons of corn . Each year we have 1 million more people and the agricultural sector has to make 1 million tons more. Food.(Photo: UCCE)

Potential risks of genetically modified organisms, according to Deputy Director of Le Thanh Binh Biodiversity Conservation, mainly related to human health (toxins, allergies), environment (microbial ecosystems). soil) and biodiversity (turning other crops into weeds, increasing resistance in pests .). But due to the overlapping mechanism, Vietnam currently has no activities related to genetically modified organisms registered at management agencies.

" Vietnam is aware of the potential risks of modern biotechnology as well as the importance of biosecurity management for genetically modified organisms. However, managing biosafety for organisms. Genetic change is a relatively new field, so we are still in the process of consolidating institutions, policies and legal issues, "Deputy Director of Conservation of Biodiversity Le Thanh Binh emphasized.

The draft Decree of the Government on the management of biosafety for genetically modified organisms and products of genetically modified organisms has been completed and expected, in October, will be submitted to the Government for approval. .

Genetic engineering allows simultaneous introduction of desired genes to produce new varieties faster and overcome the limitations of traditional breeding. For example, there are cotton varieties, insect-resistant soybeans, drought-tolerant corn, corn rice with high levels of Vitamin A, D, and E . resistant papaya .

In 1995, the world had only 0.5 hectares of transgenic crops, but now this number has increased to 127 million hectares. However, the views and policies to develop this crop of the country have specific differences. Support groups include Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil, China, India, Australia .; The group is not primarily supportive in Europe and the other group shows a waiting attitude.