The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sat, June 25, 2022 | 14:44
Business
Debate heats up over genetically modified rice
Posted : 2016-10-10 15:13
Updated : 2016-10-10 16:28
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Choi Sung-jin

Public opinion is divided into pros and cons over the government's all-out efforts to develop genetically modified rice varieties when the overproduction of the staple grain has long emerged as a national problem.

Government officials are stressing the need to develop rice strains as varied as possible to prepare for climate change and other situations, while civic groups and other critics say there is no need for haste, particularly because the safety of genetically modified vice has not been ensured.

According to the Rural Development Administration (RDA) and other institutions, out of the 146 genetically modified organisms (GMO)-related research programs under way, 71 projects are on rice, indicating how the government's GMO research focuses on rice. The government has invested 50.4 billion won ($45.2 million) into GMO research since 2011, and more than half of it in rice, too.

Government officials said the aim was to develop gene-engineered rice varieties that could overcome adverse conditions such as harmful insects, drought and high temperatures.

Particularly, two of the 71 research projects are in the fourth and fifth stages of assessing and screening risks just before their commercialization and nine s are in the phase of fixed line breeding _ making them express the same traits in a steady manner _ one stage before testing risks. Seen from only a technical viewpoint, Korea is on the brink of commercializing gene-altered rice, the officials say.

"We should be armed with weapons to prepare for all kinds of uncertainty in the future, including a situation when Korea cannot cultivate rice because of climate change," said RDA administrator Chung Hwang-keun.

Unlike the traditional system that crossbreeds two individual varieties with different genes, genetically modified breeding puts specific genes into plants to make them endure under certain circumstances far better than before. Already 22 genetically engineered rice varieties in 13 countries have won approval for risk screening, indicating how common such research is across the world. Particularly, the Chinese government is spearheading the development of rice strains.

"It takes more than a decade to develop one genetically modified rice strain," said an RDA official. "To keep Korea from being subordinated to rival nations and global corporations technologically, the nation should secure technology concerning genetically modified rice." The government is just preparing for the future and has no plans yet to cultivate the rice generally, he added.

Critics also admit the need to a certain extent, but remain skeptical whether the government should be in such a hurry. With hundreds of thousands of tons of surplus rice causing clashes between farmers and policymakers every year over bolstering its price, hasty attempts might result in various adverse effects, opposing experts said.

"Scientists said glyphosate components used in some herbicides were less harmful than caffeine in coffee about two decades ago but are now classifying them as harmful material," said Professor Lim Hak-tae of Gangwon National University. "Scientific verification concerning the safety of genetically modified rice should precede further research."

Some are concerned actual cultivation of gene-engineered rice could lead to the disappearance of indigenous rice strains, because the seeds of genetically modified rice can be spread to nearby paddies by birds and wind, contaminating other breeds genetically. Others worry about a vicious cycle in which genetically engineered breeds that are resistant to vermin and herbicides lead to the appearance of superbugs that are immune to GMO rice.

"We should develop new breeds that suit Korea's land and climate with natural methods, not by the artificial manipulation of genes," said Kwak Geum-sun, who heads a cooperative of agricultural consumers. "Only then will we be able to do farming in safe and sustainable ways."

Emailchoisj@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • South Korea, China battle population woes
  • Underage offenders: How old is old enough to be criminally charged?
  • Seoul dismisses China's objection to Korea attending NATO summit
  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day
  • Korean economy being pushed closer toward 'perfect storm'
  • How much should Korea worry about monkeypox?
  • Gov't launches task force to respond to population decline
  • Samsung, LG cut production as demand drops
  • Insurers see profitability decline amid increased forex hedging costs
  • Posco officially apologizes for years-long sexual assault case
  • Sci-fi fantasy film 'Alienoid' brings director's childhood imagination to screen Sci-fi fantasy film 'Alienoid' brings director's childhood imagination to screen
  • Billie Eilish to return for one-day concert in Seoul in August Billie Eilish to return for one-day concert in Seoul in August
  • Winner, aespa: K-pop hotshots prepare for July releases Winner, aespa: K-pop hotshots prepare for July releases
  • 'Casting meddling' claim stirs musical scene 'Casting meddling' claim stirs musical scene
  • World of 'hanji' unfolds in southern Italian city of Bari World of 'hanji' unfolds in southern Italian city of Bari
DARKROOM
  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

  • 75th Cannes Film Festival

    75th Cannes Film Festival

  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group