Genetic Controversy Reflects Food Safety Trust Crisis: Can't Eat Without Food

The "genetically modified" in the end noisy

Reading Tips: The original CCTV name encounters a hard-fighting fight fighter, and Cui Yongyuan and Fang Zhou finally meet in a genetically modified narrow road. The GM dispute is just a representation, and it is the public’s anxiety about food safety, distrust of authorities and experts, and concerns about the living environment.

Liger fight

When we were children, we most probably questioned: Tigers and lions, which is more ferocious?

The answers we got when we grew up disappointed us. The lion tigers could not meet in the natural environment. It was a hypothetical problem.

Nowadays, the Internet has made it impossible to make things impossible.

Fang Zhou, a fake fighter; Cui Yongyuan, screen name mouth. Looks like the wind is not tangled cattle, but happens as a lion and tiger encounter, killing loudly - Fang Cui Wei battle, saliva surplus, that is really a wonderful day for the Internet users carnival solution ah.

On the bitter, swift and savage, both are top, but one is always ridiculous and one is always furious. Hebei, Fujian, a Northern School, and a Southern School, Guan Gong really went to Qin Qiong.

They escalated from quibblers to “greet” their parents; they were pulled out of each other’s “economic issues” until Daxing’s lawsuit and went to court. This incident sounds really tender and black, but it is true that it was staged on the t-stage of Weibo.

The trigger for the war between the two old men was "genetically modified" - it took ten years and genetically modified in China turned from hot terminology to social hot words.

Now just placard: "Transgenic"! You have to "stand in line," either "turn" or "reverse" - who "be impartial" and whoever is a disdainful "caval"...

The original cold science and technology problem has turned into a national hot spot. The whole country is standing on the team. If it is true or false, what is the reason? Is it "Tse Jia Baoshu, with occasional yellow leaves," or is it "the falsehood of the heavens?"

Suddenly remembered this sentence: Science is like a pressure cooker. You become familiar when you are under stress. (The main pen Hu Zhanfen)

The "genetically modified" in the end noisy

The original CCTV name encounters a hard-fighting fight fighter. Cui Yongyuan and Fang Zhou finally meet each other because of a genetically modified narrow road.

The GM dispute is just a representation, and it is the public’s anxiety about food safety, distrust of authorities and experts, and concerns about the living environment.

Reporter | Huang Hao

Cui Yongyuan and Fang Zhouzi, two middle-aged men, “kicked on” for a scientific issue, from gesticulating through microblogging to “greeting” parents and pulling out economic problems until they go to court. The taste of this thing sounds really absurd, but it is actually staged.

The trigger for the two men’s wars was "transgenic" - it took ten years for GM to transform itself into a social word from an unconventional technological terminology.

Nowadays, as long as you talk about genetic modification, you have to "stand in line," either "tighten" or "reverse" or "neutral". In short, you cannot ignore its existence. Since the controversy has been developed today, "transgenic technology" and "controversy over genetic transformation" have become almost irrelevant. The former has a way of objective evaluation, while the latter concerns everyone's view of "risk" and "efficiency". Views, and even the outlook on life, the world view.

The GM dispute is just a representation, and it is the public’s anxiety about food safety, distrust of authorities and experts, and concerns about the living environment.

If we meditation on history, the appearance of each major new technology has brought troubles to the society at that time, such as the application of electricity, such as the aircraft becoming a means of transport, such as vaccines. Human society always makes a collective rational choice after balancing the efficiency and risks brought by technology. In most cases, technological progress is unstoppable.

Of course, today's society has entered a modern civilization, and more people express their opinions, and they also contribute to "collective rationality."

However, if the people who express opinions are too few professional knowledge or too much empathy, the discussion of technology and social progress will only degenerate into a farce.

A word triggered war

Those old viewers who will not be able to surf the Internet must not understand why Cui Yongyuan would be involved in genetic transformation. How could he call a person named Fang Fang and he would come to court.

On January 21, Fang Jian’s attorney, Peng Jian, confirmed to the reporter that the Beijing Haidian Court has filed a case. The court time is waiting for a notice. According to his personal experience, no trial will be scheduled before the Spring Festival. In his complaint, Fang Fang used Cui Yongyuan’s many microblogging comments to infringe on his right to reputation and demanded that the other party apologize and compensate 300,000 yuan for mental damage.

On the day when the court received the complaint, Cui Yongyuan was in Japan and was investigating genetically modified in his personal capacity. He wanted to find out exactly how the Japanese viewed GM and would also take a documentary.

Prior to December 20, 2013, Cui Yongyuan returned to the United States from the United States. The purpose of the United States trip is also only one - how do Americans think about genetic modification, they eat or not eat? At the press conference held at the airport, Cui said that he had gone abroad to investigate at his own expense, and at the same time he published his most basic view of genetic modification: “The safety of genetically modified foods is controversial for scientists. Under this premise, we as ordinary people The ordinary people do not understand this matter. It is better not to let me eat; or to give me the right to choose. I can eat it, I can not eat it, and I cannot deprive me of the right to choose."

Cui Yongyuan was so persistent and entrenched in genetic modification that he completely "followed" Fang Zhouzi. Cui and Fang both talked about genetic modification on Weibo. The airport's launch will drag the entrenched war on the Internet to the Internet. Due to the popularity of Cui Yongyuan, the GM debate has once again ushered in a climax in China.

Cui Yongyuan, the original CCTV host who was loved by the people of the country, in the late 1990s, with the popularity of the CCTV talk show “Factual Storytelling”, the name of the host Cui Yongyuan was widely known. The audience loved the smirking young man and trusted his honest personal qualities. In 2002, Cui Yongyuan withdrew from "Truth and Truth" and exposed himself to depression. After a few years of silence, Cui Yongyuan returned and began to organize film history and produce related programs.

Prior to 2007, Cui Yongyuan was a Cui Yongyuan in the television and literary circles. After 2007, Cui Yongyuan entered the public welfare field in the middle of the year. His name began to be associated with various social events, such as providing training opportunities for rural teachers. For example, migrant workers who have courageously rescued drivers during floods are invited to eat. At this time, coincided with the rise of China's Internet social media, Cui Yongyuan's channel of interaction with society shifted from television to the Internet. He also actively operated Weibo and continued his influence, becoming a big audience with ten million "audiences."

Tracing back today, Cui Yongyuan officially participated in the GM discussion, which stemmed from the microblogging statement: “You can choose to eat. I can choose not to eat. You can say that you understand 'science' and I have reason to have the right to question the science you know. 'In the end science is not science. You can say that I am an idiot, and I can say that you eat it.' This micro-blog was released on the afternoon of September 8, 2013, for a tasting of genetically modified corn. During the media coverage of the event, the media wrote a statement: “The activist and science writer Fang Zhouzi said that although the taste of genetically modified corn has no scientific value, it has the value of science. It should create conditions for people to eat genetically modified foods every day.” Obviously This sentence has inspired Cui Yongyuan's "momentum."

Soon afterwards, Fang replied on Weibo: “Of course you can choose not to eat, but don’t pass it on to impede the development of agricultural technology in China. The science that I’m popularizing is a science approved by international authoritative scientific organizations. You don’t understand anything. question?"

Fang Zhouzi, who is 4 years older than Cui Yongyuan, is a science writer and doctor of biochemistry. He has been known for “fighting for fake” for more than a decade. In the GM debate, Fang has always insisted on the positive effects of genetic modification technology and wrote numerous articles to prove the safety of genetically modified foods has been recognized by mainstream scientists.

Because of this sentence, two men in the 60s officially declared war.

Half way out Cui Yongyuan

In the GM debate, Cui Yongyuan looks like a "newcomer" who made a halfway effort, but back in history, more than a decade ago, Cui Yongyuan began to participate in "science"-related disputes.

More than a decade ago, Chinese society had been pursuing various "extraordinary functions" and "god powers." Cui created a few special programs of "Truth and Truth" to expose pseudoscience, and Fang was invited as a guest to the studio. At that time, Cui Yongyuan, Fang Zhouzi, Sima Nan and others were fellow comrades in the same trench.

After that, Cui Yongyuan and Fang Zhouzi had almost no intersection. One entered the “old paper pile” and indulged in dictating history, and the other held a banner of counterfeiting.

Fang Fangzi’s latest counterfeit object is star Lin Zhiying, who disclosed the false propaganda of collagen products endorsed by Lin Zhiying. There is currently no conclusion on this matter. In recent years, Fang’s “fighting results” have also included questioning whether Han’s works were captured by others, questioning Tang Jun’s education fraud, and questioning Xiao Chongguo’s “Shaw Surgery” effect.

Because of counterfeiting, Fang has “counted many enemies”. In 2010, Fang was attacked on his way home. Someone used a hammer to stab his waist from behind. Later, the police solved the case. It turned out that Xiao Chuanguo was hired to attack Fang Zhouzi and Xiao Chuanguo was sentenced to criminal detention for five and a half months.

The original CCTV name encounters a hard-fighting fight fighter. Cui Yongyuan and Fang Zhou finally meet each other because of a genetically modified narrow road. Sima Nan wrote an article on Weibo in the early hours of January 18th that the “meeting” of the two Cui Fangs was inseparable from Sima Nan. Sima Nan had originally participated in the trial of genetically modified corn, and Cui Yongyuan was very likely to Only pay attention to this activity.

Cui Yongyuan's participation in the GM debate was almost the same as the death of the fish. At the airport briefing, Cui Yongyuan disclosed that the debate with Fang was the trigger for his departure from CCTV. “I’m going to get in touch with Fang Zhouzi this time. It’s absolutely contrary to the rules of the Taiwan Strait. I don’t have to resign and let me go, so He just resigned to him.” At the expense of his resignation, he participated in the battle. Cui Yongyuan really moved the “fire” this time. The battle has continued for more than four months, and it is almost derailed in the late stage. The theme of the debate spread from genetically modified to right. Questions about their respective economic issues, even "greeting mother".

The GM debate has been going on in China for more than a decade. The information that the general public first contacted about genetic modification is not from the scientific community. Instead, it is a private institution and a series of lawsuits focusing on “Green Peace”.

“Greenpeace” is an active international environmental organization that opposes GM technology. This organization first publicized the voice of opposition to GM technology through Chinese media. At that time, most domestic media reporters heard the word “transgenic” for the first time. There is no way to talk about it.

Another cause for concern was the case of Shanghai consumers suing Nestle. In 2003, Shanghai consumer Zhu Yanji brought Nestle company to court. She discovered that the genetically modified raw materials used in Nestle's companions purchased for her children were used. Nestlé did not specify on the product packaging. Zhu Yanxi thought that Nestle had infringed on consumers. Right to know.

Therefore, GM technology has entered the public view of China with a negative image.

For a long time, the party that questioned the safety of genetically modified foods apparently had the upper hand in public opinion. Until recently, scientific research institutes engaged in research on genetically modified technology began to respond to various queries and tried to make their voice heard.

On July 13 last year, Huazhong Agricultural University hosted a large-scale tasting of genetically modified rice resources. Professor Zhang Huai of Huazhong Agricultural University was the leader of China's GM rice technology. His team obtained the only two transgenic rice plants in China to date. Security certificate. The tasting event was jointly organized by the Beijing Association of Science and Technology Journalists and universities. The purpose of the name of the GM technology is obvious. Scientists complained at the event that although the security certificate had been collected for 4 years and 2014 was about to expire, under the influence of public opinion, the competent authorities had failed to give green light to commercial plants.

Before Cui Yongyuan’s entry, the GM debate will lead to a small climax every time, and Cui Yongyuan’s joining is obviously fueling the never-cooled debate.

"Reverse" and "Turn"

If explained from a purely technical point of view, transgenic technology (Genetically Modified, GM for short) is a technique that transfers a gene fragment into a specific organism and finally acquires an individual with a specific genetic trait. Yes, it is a cold technology and it is not right or wrong.

What really makes people uneasy is whether the food modified by genetically modified technology is safe. Transgenic technology has now been applied to the improvement of crop varieties, such as making soybeans resistant to herbicides, allowing cotton, corn, and rice to resist insects. The use of transgenic technology has led to an increase in the yield of crops and a reduction in the use of pesticides. From the perspective of the input and output of agricultural production, transgenic technology has brought about an increase in the efficiency of agricultural production.

Judging from the planting area of ​​genetically modified agricultural products (8.55, 0.39, 4.78%), China ranks among the top countries in the world, but it is mainly planted with genetically modified cotton, and only the papayas are used for the agricultural products. Of course, China's imported soybeans are mainly based on genetically modified soybeans. Therefore, it is difficult for people in the country to avoid genetically modified crops.

Take soybean as an example. Because of the low production cost and high price, the genetically modified soybean that is cheap and has a high oil yield quickly takes over the international market. At the beginning of 2013, Chen Xiwen, director of the Office of the Central Leading Group for Rural Work Leadership, once said: “China's imports of genetically modified agricultural products are mainly concentrated on soybeans. Last year, we imported 58.38 million tons of soybeans, most of which are genetically modified soybeans. From the United States, Brazil and Argentina, imported soybeans are mainly used for two purposes, one is the extraction of oil, that is, the soybean oil and the blended oil that we eat are all part of the oil extracted from soybeans. The most important protein in the feed industry - the source of plant proteins."

However, one side who opposes GM technology looks at GM technology from another perspective: the safety of GM foods and the negative impact on the environment. For the general public, it is certainly the former that is most likely to resonate.

People who worry about the safety of GM foods often hold this logic: GM food is a brand-new food. Without a long-term test, how do you know if it will affect people's health? If the safety of genetically modified foods is inconclusive, why should I let them eat?

All those who oppose the development of genetically modified technologies are collectively referred to as "reversals". Before Cui Yongyuan joined the controversy, representatives of the “reversal” camp included “Greenpeace” organizations, Jiang Gaoming and Chen Yiwen.

Jiang Gaoming is a researcher at the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He described his research as “No fertilizer, pesticides, agricultural film, herbicides, additives, and so-called six modern agricultural technologies for genetic transformation, turning low-yield fields in farmers’ hands into high yields. Tian (wheat, corn, annual output of more than 2,000 kg of grain)." Chen Yiwen described his position on Weibo as "adviser to the China Disaster Prevention Association Professional Committee on Disaster History." In addition to the above several representatives, many "inverted" remarks on the Internet come from anonymous users.

By contrast, there are more people in the "Turnaround" camp with biotech background. The most supportive of the development of GM technology is, of course, the scientific research personnel who are engaged in transgenic research, among which Professor Zhang Qi, from Huazhong Agricultural University is the representative figure. In October 2013, Zhang Hee revealed that 61 academicians jointly wrote letters to senior officials of the state to promote the industrialization of GM rice cultivation.

The scientist with international prestige, Rao Yi, is also a member of the “Turn” team. Rao Yi, Ph.D., former dean of the Peking University School of Life Sciences, specializes in "The Molecular Mechanism of Cell Migration and Its Application in Controlling Tumor Metastasis."

Rao Yi was asked by Cui Yongyuan to “have a conscience” for participating in Fang’s awards. Rao Yi then wrote an article in the blog “Answer Cui Yongyuan”: “Mr. Cui may not know that in terms of genetically modified, not only my opinion but also Fang Zhouzi. Similarly, the overwhelming majority of molecular biology studies in the world are similar to his point of view. This is not a question of supporting one person. Instead, many people and most people who understand molecular biology have similar views."

Scientists are not active speakers in the “Ting Ting” school. True long-term authors who support GM technology are authors of scientific science such as Fang Zhouzi and Yun Wuxin. Both of them have a background in biology education.

Although the “Ting Ting” camp has prevailed in the academic context, the research background of these people has also left criticisms for opponents: In the view of the “reversal”ists, scientists support GM technology, and they all seek interest.

Of course, the “Ting Ting” camp also has its own weaknesses. In order to avoid being criticized by opponents as “foreigners” or “spirits,” the “reverse” camp has been trying its best to create a rational and calm image. Although Cui Yongyuan himself does not recognize himself as an "inverted" faction, it is clear that public opinion has made Cui Yongyuan a leader in "reversal". Unfortunately, Cui's current performance may be difficult to score for the many years of hard work of the "very good" camp.

"He wants to say tough words on Weibo again. I also said. I don't want to be guaranteed at the end of the night. I don't want the good image of the past. I'm not talking about it. It's not me. I have the bandit side." Cui Yongyuan is on the Internet. Practice Your Own "Bands" Theory in the War.

What are you arguing about?

What are we arguing about when we argue about genetic modification? In China, this question is difficult to answer.

Since the development of biotechnology, it has entered a very specialized level. If it is not a GM technology professional, it is difficult for others to judge the pros and cons of this technology. It is as if a person is seriously ill, it is difficult for doctors to explain the principles of the treatment plan to the patient. What the patient can do is only to trust the medical community's consensus on this treatment plan and the doctor's professional level.

“The source of this controversy is the perception of risk, not the problem of the risk itself.” Dr. Awa Aidara kane, representative of the World Health Organization, represented the WHO on an interview with the Chinese media recently. One of the research areas in the food safety and zoonosis department of the World Health Organization is genetic modification.

Ava Edara's argument is more like a philosophical proposition. In fact, the discussion about genetic modification cannot be separated from the entire social environment. Does the Chinese reporter ask Ava Aydarah to consume genetically modified food on the market? Ava Edarla replied: "When I went to the supermarket to buy things, I was very confident about the food on the market in my place. I believe in the existing system. If you live in a country you trust, you are free to It is very important to purchase any food product, regardless of whether it is genetically modified. Consumers must be able to trust the system they are in."

However, in China, when it comes to trust, the problem arises. Cui Yongyuan once commented on the Weibo event that the former senior official of the Ministry of Railways Zhang Shuguang exposed himself to the election of a bribed academician. Cui wrote that: Zhang Haoguang spent 23 million yuan on one vote and did not become an academician. One more vote became "authority," and this "authority" is much higher. Can form a new "authority agency", of course, can also have other "square" method without spending money.

Cui Yongyuan’s comments represent the general mentality of current social skeptics. Due to frequent social chaos, the public’s trust in authorities, scientists, and officials in charge is declining. If authority cannot be trusted, then how can we trust the authority's arguments for the "genetically modified food safety"?

In particular, after experiencing a series of food safety incidents such as tainted milk powder, the public is extremely sensitive to food safety. In the face of genetically modified foods, “can not eat without eating” has become the belief of most people.

It is precisely because of this social psychology that the call for mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods in China is always high. According to China's current regulations, genetically modified raw foods, ie, foods that do not change their original form, such as flour, edible oil, etc., must be subject to mandatory qualitative labeling, but to bread, cakes, biscuits, vaccines, biological agents and other genetically modified Deep processing of products, there is no mandatory labeling requirements. The EU stipulates that as long as the proportion of genetically modified genes exceeds 0.8%, quantitative labeling must be performed on food packaging to ensure consumers' right to know. However, 90% of genetically modified foods in the United States are not clearly labelled because of voluntary labeling principles for genetic modification. However, many Chinese consumers expect more extensive labeling in order to realize their right to know and choose.

However, if careful investigation is carried out, it is almost impossible to use labeled methods to avoid genetically modified foods. Imagine that if all foods based on genetically modified crops need to be marked, how about a dish sold in a restaurant?

Since experts in the genetically modified industry are not trustworthy, worried consumers are beginning to look for answers from what they believe is a more objective and impartial "third party". Yuan Longping, the father of miscellaneous rice, is often asked to answer whether he supports GM technology.

Yuan Longping engaged in the breeding of hybrid rice for the rest of his life. Through the nationwide publicity in the 1970s, Yuan Longping’s image as an authoritative scientist gained deep roots in the hearts of the people. In the stalemate between "reversing" and "reversing", many people hope that Yuan Longping can express his attitude. Unfortunately, for a long time, Yuan Longping's attitude toward genetically modified technology is vague.

However, in a recent interview with the media, the old scientist showed a positive attitude towards genetically modified technology. In an interview on January 10, Yuan Longping said: "Transgenic technology is currently the cutting-edge technology. I think the molecular technology of genetically modified and transgenes will be the future direction. Transgenic technology cannot be generalized, and it cannot be considered as terrible at the expense of genetic modification." Yuan Longping also stated that he will personally support the development of GM technology and is willing to try GM crops.

Public concerns also provide the market with business opportunities.

On October 25, 2013, Zhangye City, Gansu Province issued a ban on genetically modified seeds and became the only prefecture-level city in the country that has banned genetically modified seeds. Maize seed production is an important economic industry in Zhangye, and Zhangye is also a corn cultivation site. In 2012, Zhangye's corn seed planting area reached 1.0253 million mu, accounting for 23.5% of the country's total corn planting area; the output was 461 million kg, accounting for over 40% of the country's total.

Zhang Jian’s regulations caused public opinion to be awkward. In the media’s follow-up reports, Zhang’s motives for issuing a ban were clear. An official in Zhangye’s propaganda department told reporters: “Zhang Jian is a brand of agricultural products. We want to “propagandize” it and “protect” it.”

Shortly after the introduction of Zhang Jian’s ban, relevant departments in Gansu Province seem to have gained “inspiration” from it. The Gansu Food and Drug Administration issued a notice to protect consumers’ right to know and choose. From March 1st, 2014, it will try to sell genetically modified foods through counters across the province, requesting them to be placed on GM food sales counters or shelves. Signboards are placed in prominent positions. The content of the signboards is "GMO Food Counter (Zone)"

On Cui Yongyuan’s Weibo, the Gansu news was reportedly “topped up.” Such an approach is obviously very much like him. It is a pity that the motives of Gansu’s policies are as questionable as Cui Yongyuan for food safety and consumer right to know. .

The dispute between Cui Yongyuan and Fang Zhouzi has now come out of the scope of genetic transformation, and the GM debate in the Chinese world has long been out of the scope of science.

The genetic controversy reflects the richness of China’s social status. After many years of looking back, will it be dumbfounded?

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Cherry tomato

The wild tomato is probably so small, and it is sour and astringent that it can't be eaten at all. For a long time, tomatoes were used as ornamental plants.

So, if you want to doubt it, you should doubt that the tomato that you eat now is genetically modified. Of course, large tomatoes are not genetically modified. In the 15th century, there were big tomatoes. This was also cultivated.

The cherry tomatoes currently on the market are officially known as Cherry Tomato. After being bred, they are much more delicious than their wild ancestors. They are not so delicate and can be grown in many places.

Potatoes that turn black after cutting

Why do potatoes turn black? The most important participants in the development of black potatoes are oxidases, polyphenols and oxygen. In intact potato cells, oxidases and phenolic substrate space are far apart from each other, so there is no problem. When the potatoes are cut with a knife, the potato cells are destroyed, polyphenols are used as substrates, and enzymes such as polyphenol oxidase are contacted. In the oxygen, the phenols are oxidized into quinones, the polymerization of quinones and its The combination of other substances produces black or brown pigmentation.

This whole reaction is called the oxidation browning reaction of potatoes. The degree of potato browning reaction is related to potato varieties, planting and storage conditions, temperature and time after cutting.

There are indeed two kinds of genetically modified potatoes that have been put on the market worldwide, but they are all unrelated to browning resistance. One of these two kinds of potatoes is the American Bt potatoes, one is the European Amflora potatoes.

Crops that cannot be kept

Whether or not crops can be retained depends only on the type of breeding and has nothing to do with transgenic technology. Seeds that use hybrid technology and use heterosis are not suitable for seed retention. Not all seeds that cannot be seeded are genetically modified. From a technical point of view, not all genetically modified crops can be planted. It is only in some countries that due to the existence of legal agreements, farmers are not allowed to leave seed.

sweet corn

Sweet corn is a product of traditional breeding techniques and has nothing to do with transgenic technology. Of course, there are indeed sweet corns that have been genetically engineered to enhance insecticide-resistance and herbicide properties, but they have not been approved for planting in China. The sweet corn that we currently buy in China is unlikely to be genetically modified sweet corn. In addition, in the United States, genetically modified sweet corn is not used to feed animals, and Americans are willing and actually eating it. (According to Nutshell Web "Rumor mill" sorting)