4 genetically modified corn varieties approved for food use
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) officially approved four genetically modified corn varieties eligible for use as food and animal feed on August 11.
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Genetically modified corn is grown experimentally in Vietnam. |
The four corn varieties approved this time include Bt 11 corn, MIR162 of Syngenta Vietnam Co., Ltd. and MON 89034 and NK603 of Dekalb Vietnam Co., Ltd.
These are the first four genetically modified corn varieties in Vietnam to be recognized as eligible for use as food and animal feed. This is also the first genetically modified crop variety to be recognized in Vietnam.
According to information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, this certificate of approval was issued after a thorough review process and was approved by the Council for the Safety of Genetically Modified Food and Feed.
However, to be put into production, these four genetically modified corn varieties still have to wait for biosafety approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Thus, genetically modified crop varieties, including the four corn varieties mentioned above, must still wait for approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment before being officially allowed for use in Vietnam.
Although genetically modified crops have been grown in a number of countries around the world, the production and use of genetically modified crops remains a controversial issue in the scientific community.
In Vietnam, in Decision No. 11/2006/QD-TTg dated January 12, 2006, the Prime Minister approved the "Key program for development and application of biotechnology in the field of agriculture and rural development until 2020".
In this decision, the development and application of genetically modified crops in Vietnam is identified as an important task of the national agricultural biotechnology program.
However, the application of genetically modified crops in Vietnam has caused much controversy in the scientific community in recent years.
According to Vietnamnet