Genetically Modified Crops in China - The Case of Bt Cotton

Genetically Modified Crops (GMCs) have generated considerable interest as a potential solution to the ever-growing problems of food and sustainable development. While recognizing its importance the area under GMCs worldwide has increased more than thirty-five times in just 5 y, from 1.7 m ha in 1996 to 58.7 m ha in 2002. Worldwide, nearly 90 varieties of crops have been approved for commercial cultivation including cotton, rice, tobacco, soybean, corn, tomato, and rape. The present paper examines the status of Chinese efforts in this direction with particular attention to Bt cotton.