| Genetic modification technology has tremendous potential in agricultural production.Genetically modified maize is one of the most successful GM crops in the world.One of its varieties – insect resistant and herbicide tolerant--has been promoted and applied in a large scale in many countries.The variety has not only cut down the use of chemical pesticides and the prevention cost of pest and weeds,but also contributed positively to the protection of agroecological environment.Accelerating commercialization of GM maize with independent intellectual property rights represents a significant initiative to advance supply-side reform in agricultural sector.It will improve market balance of maize in China,to meet the need of economic and social development.This paper,based on the theoretical framework of agricultural economics,public management,and regulation economics,analyzes domestic and foreign literature in recent years,draws on the safety management system and best practices on GM food from European Union and the United States.The paper has highlighted the potential influence of GM maize on production,and described practical dilemma of GM maize commercialization in China.In addition,the paper summarized consumers’ awareness and acceptance of GM technology and food,analyzed the obstacles to commercialized development of GM maize from the perspective of consumers,and put forward corresponding policy recommendations.The main outcomes of the research are as follows:(1)The paper systematically analyzed commercialized development of GM maize in the United States and European Union.The main observations are: there is pressing need to research and develop GM maize with competition edge and possibilities for commercialization;attitude toward GM maize is closely related to the national conditions of every country;promotion of GM maize needs strong support by government;and safety management of GM maize calls for multi-sector coordination and cooperation.(2)While attracting close government attention,GM maize has not been commercialized in a substantive manner.As of now,the Chinese government approved import of 17 varieties of GM maize that are used as processing materials and applied into production.Among those,phytase GM maize BVLA430101 has independent intellectual property rights.(3)Cost benefit analysis indicates that if the farmer plants insect-resistant GM maize,seed cost per mu will increase by 19 yuan while pesticide cost decreases by 14 yuan and labor cost by 5 yuan,which means an offset between the increased costs and decreased costs.In terms of output,yield can increase by 5% which equals to an income growth of 657 yuan/ha(calculated on the basis of current yield of maize in China).(4)Challenges are to be addressed in relation to commercialization of GM maize: few genes with independent intellectual property rights,insufficient coordination between industries,research institutions and extension agencies,inadequate public awareness of GM technology,and weak safety regulation,to name a few.(5)Chinese consumers have had more contact,and thus more aware of,with GM technology and food in the recent years.They have high acceptance of GM crop for feed,but still a large proportion of consumers remain neutral or in the dark of it.The main reason for rejection lies in the lack of trust in media and public management capability of the government.The paper proposed a series of measures.In production,measures shall be taken to strengthen research and development of GM technology and food,expand international cooperation,and bolster safety regulation over GM food;in consumption,measures shall be taken to enhance public education on bio-technology,raise consumer awareness,and regulate information dissemination on GM maize;in advancing commercialization,the Chinese government shall encourage seed companies and R&D institutes to actively engage in the promotion of GM maize,thus make progress in commercialization on the basis of evidence-based evaluation and robust regulation. |
