The Impact of Commercialization of GM Rice in China

Since 2009, genetically modified (GM) rice has been approved for commercial use and it is likely that China will become the world leader in large scale commercialization. While China is the world’s leading rice producer, only a small fraction of the crop is exported. Hence, the commercialization of GM rice in China is not likely motivated by the international trade market. Conversion to GM rice significantly decreases the use of pesticides and therefore reduces the threat to human health and ecological contamination. Furthermore, Chinese consumers accept GM food more readily compared to consumers in other developed countries. It is hypothesized that while in the short term the commercialization of GM rice in China may have a negative impact on rice export, in the long term there is the potential for Chinese GM rice to dominate international markets.