The biggest barrier of biotechnology in Vietnam?

Biotechnology (including genetically modified technology) is considered one of the key technology industries to develop the country, but in our country is still new. In order to gain a deeper understanding of this field, VietNamNet correspondent has contacted GS. Prof. Dr. Le Tran Binh, former Director of the Institute of Biotechnology, Chairman of the Biotechnology Industry Council.

Reporter (Reporter) : - Professor, the problem of genetically modified organisms that has been put into practice for a long time by the world and its effectiveness, like the professor's report, is huge. But until now, more accurately since 2007 we have just deployed. According to the professor, is it sooner or later? Why?

Prof. Dr. Le Tran Binh (Prof. LTB) : - In the field of researching genetically modified organisms in Vietnam, there have been labs and scientific staff starting nearly twenty years ago. Compared to the world, it is only 10 years slower than the pioneer countries. However, in the field of mass production and commercialization, we are currently preparing very positive steps both in our country's legal documents and implementing guidelines.

Prof. Dr. Le Tran Binh (in the middle) in the laboratory.

But transgenic crops, for many different reasons, are still not officially present in the Vietnamese field. 2007 is the year when the State promulgated the Biosafety Law, which contains contents related to transgenic organisms. Many previous documents also mentioned this content.

The evaluation of ' sooner or later ' depends on what content. In the field of research, it is never late, but in the field of management, there are many attempts, while for production, it is necessary to strengthen the control ability so that the trade sector is not affected. Someone who judges ' sooner or later ' only shows the level of desire of the individual more, and the whole society must be prepared to let the thing ripen, and when the event is over it will happen.

- What are the reasons "outside of science" for people (individuals and organizations) opposing genetically modified organisms?

Transgenic plants in the experimental garden - This is a sensitive question and answer. Protest and ' follow-up ' protesters have yet to provide scientific evidence for their concerns about transgenic organisms. The rest cannot tell why they just like what ' not in high technology '.

- How much time does it take to test genetically modified organisms (food) completely biosecure? Has there been any case where we import genetically modified (food) varieties without knowing it? To ensure biodiversity, is it necessary to isolate genetically modified organisms (plants) with natural organisms?

- Experimental regulations drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will soon be issued to show what to do and how long to do. As for smuggling, as mentioned in the answer to question 1, the state of management of our country still has to work hard to do that.

Transgenic plants in the initial research phase need to be isolated, especially at the evaluation stage in the greenhouse greenhouse. When commercially grown, in countries with large areas of transgenic plants, they spend a small proportion of the area planted with the same plant but do not transfer genes to evacuate other organisms.

This is international practice. No isolation of transgenic plants at mass production stage.

- When we have tested successfully, can we afford to supply it regularly and in large quantities? The problem of degeneration of varieties?

- It is too early to answer this question. If it is a pure variety, producers (farmers) can breed themselves, as they did before. In today's advanced cultivation, no country encourages farmers to breed themselves. There must be a professional seed company, like the system of supplying hybrid corn, hybrid rice or winter vegetable varieties (kohlrabi, cabbage, onion .).

So what the domestic companies can do, they will do, and what to enter will enter, but must comply with the general provisions of the country of origin and import country. Inappropriate or degenerate breeds are perfectly normal. If there is competition, what is good is circulated. Still a problem of social management and awareness level of producers and consumers.

Experimental GM plants.(Artwork: VNN)

- Are there any barriers that limit the development of genetically modified organisms in our country?

- The biggest barrier is the level of science and technology in our country is not high in the region and the world. That level is reflected in research capacity, management capacity, production organization, commercial organization . And the ' bottleneck ' is still a very modest investment ability.

- The problem of increasing the rate of renewable energy in energy structure is the general trend of the world (the US plans to bring up 30%, Germany over 50%) and our country. A report of the professor mentioned a few points to this issue. Could you please tell me more about its ability?

- Renewable energy is a compulsory trend of the modern world. Our country is not large land for cultivation, but the water surface area, especially the sea surface is very wide. If we aim to produce renewable biomass thanks to the water surface, we will not only succeed but also contribute to humanity in this area.

- Thank you very much.