Use facts to win debate on GM food

There is no sign of the debate on whether China should legalize planting of genetically modified (GM) crops, such as rice and wheat, ending anytime soon. Pro-GM and anti-GM activists both have refused to back off, leading to the two camps bickering with each other on various traditional and social media platforms.

Debates are welcome, for they help clarify facts. But it seems both camps have failed to participate in the debate in a proper manner because they often resort to sensational wordings and present misleading facts to try to influence public opinion.

The latest high-profile pro-GM campaign was a seminar in Wuhan, Hubei province, where 19 scientists from China and abroad discussed the development of GM foods in China. Xu Zhihong, coordinator of the seminar and an academic at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, accused anti-GM activists of being "irrational" saying their arguments are "not based on scientific assessment." Xu, former president of the influential Peking University, said the debate on safety of GM foods and related issues has prevented the public from benefiting from GM technology.

While leveling such charges, Xu used few scientific data to prove his point. Instead, he simply repeated some statements that are often cited by pro-GM activists, such as "GM crops have increased food safety and reduced the impact of agriculture on the environment".

In earlier discussions, pro-GM activists have alleged that the debate had "blocked China's technological advancement". Some have even labeled anti-GM activists, many of whom are not professional scientists, as "unknowledgeable laymen", hinting that they are not even entitled to participate in such discussions.

Such arguments smack of profession-based prejudice owing to lack of data and facts and will only backfire on the pro-GM camp and leave the public less convinced about the professed safety and other benefits of GM foods.