Chapter 312 A Grand Mission

Chapter 312 A Grand Mission

Niu Sheren not only exposed the mastermind behind the incident, but also revealed what the four major grain traders have been doing, which is to vigorously promote genetically modified foods.

Qi Tongwei had naturally heard of this word and had heard other people talk about it. Some said it was harmless while others said it was harmful.

Since he is not a professional scientist, he is not sure whether it is harmful or not, but he holds conservative views on genetically modified foods.

He believes that practice is the only criterion for testing truth, and only by conducting long-term tests on genetically modified foods can it be clear whether this technology is harmful to the human body.

These thoughts flashed through his mind, and Qi Tongwei noticed the four major grain merchants. This was the word he heard the most during this period.

He also figured out the four major grain traders. Three of them were from the Ugly Country and one was from France. They basically occupied half of China's grain supply.

So he immediately asked Niu Sheren whether the four major grain traders had any ulterior motives in vigorously promoting genetically modified foods.

Niu Sheren answered without hesitation: "No, the countries are not fools. If the ugly country and the four major grain traders really want to weaken other countries through genetically modified foods, everyone will see it.

After all, no matter what time, there will always be more patriots than traitors.

As for why the four major grain traders are vigorously promoting genetically modified foods, it all comes down to profit.

Genetically modified foods can effectively prevent diseases and pests, and their yield is much higher than that of ordinary non-genetically modified foods.

Out of their own interests, the four major grain traders will naturally actively promote genetically modified foods. "

Qi Tongwei nodded to show his understanding that the four major grain traders were so keen on promoting and developing genetically modified foods, and their fundamental purpose was to pursue greater profits.

Three of the four major grain companies are from the Ugly Country. Everyone is familiar with the Ugly Country’s system, so they will naturally support the three grain traders.

Qi Tongwei continued to ask: "So, what is the attitude of the United States towards genetically modified foods? What do their citizens think about it? Are there any harms?"

Niu Sheren shook his head helplessly, indicating that he had not paid attention to the situation in this regard.

Qi Tongwei then asked: "Why does my country want to promote genetically modified crops?"

Niu Sheren replied: "The area of ​​arable land in my country has been decreasing. If we want to feed 14 billion people, we must find a way to increase food production, and genetically modified food is one option."

Qi Tongwei did not continue asking. After all, Niu Sheren was not a professional, and his answer might not be the correct answer. This matter needed further investigation.

However, Qi Tongwei could basically guess the reason why this technology was promoted, which is China’s food security.

Feeding 14 billion people is by no means a trivial matter. For some experts or officials, eating genetically modified food is better than not having enough food, since they don't eat it anyway.

Ultimately, this is lazy governance and inaction.

Can't they learn from scientists like Academician Yuan?

Hybrid rice is not genetically modified, but it still solves the yield problem.

Take hybrid rice as an example. Researchers used traditional breeding methods, carried out multiple large-scale hybridizations, and conducted decades of consistent research. Finally, they succeeded in developing high-yield rice, thus solving the food problem.

Not only does it solve the problem of eating, but it also does not pose any health risks.

Qi Tongwei also knows that this problem is not something he can solve at the moment. He can only influence some things within the scope of his authority. At the very least, he requires that all genetically modified foods must be clearly labeled so that the public has the right to know.

When I have power in the future, I will promote food research and increase food production while ensuring health, rather than irresponsibly promoting genetically modified foods.

Even if it is promoted, it should be done after being proven to be harmless, rather than using the general public as guinea pigs.

Putting these thoughts aside, Qi Tongwei met with Vice Governor Chang Maosheng again. Seeing that Niu Sheren had already confessed, he also lowered his head and explained everything honestly.

After obtaining the confessions of the two people, Qi Tongwei immediately reported to his superiors and demanded the arrest of the mastermind behind the incident.

However, the mastermind behind the scenes was of too high a level, and the case was personally presided over by the leaders of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, while Qi Tongwei was responsible for the final work of the corruption case in the grain system of Zhongjiang Province.

After these two people confessed, all the corrupt elements in the entire Zhongjiang grain system were sorted out and entered the process of being transferred. Qi Tongwei also became completely free and began to pay attention to genetically modified foods.

After several days of investigation, he found that regulating genetically modified foods was extremely complicated.

There are many experts and scholars who speak for it, and just by listening to their speeches, you will find that genetically modified foods seem to be very healthy.

However, Qi Tongwei was not fooled by them. What Professor Ai said was very true. It depended on whether they had eaten or not. It also depended on whether his family and children had eaten or not.

Some experts and scholars are actually partners of the four major grain traders and scientists they work with. They stand for their own interests and do not consider the interests of the Chinese people at all.

Of course, not all people who support GMOs are like this. There is also a large number of scientists who truly serve the country and the people. They support GMOs because they believe deep down that genetically modified foods are healthy.

Most of these people are engaged in GMO research. They simply believe that after testing, there are no problems with mice and humans.

If no harm is found, genetically modified crops should not be banned and should be promoted.

Qi Tongwei does not agree with this view. After all, humans and mice are different and cannot be discussed together.

On the contrary, some of Academician Yuan's views were very much to Qi Tongwei's liking. His views were in line with science because he looked at the issue from a dialectical perspective.

What he said was very clear and understandable. It depends on what kind of genetic modification it is. For example, if the C4 genetic modification is successful and improves the photosynthetic efficiency, and does not involve food spoilage, then it can be eaten with confidence.

For example, there is no problem with insect-resistant genetically modified cotton. It is used for production, not for eating, and it should be vigorously promoted.

We must be especially cautious when consuming genetically modified foods, but we cannot generalize and say that all genetically modified foods have problems. However, C4, which has been transformed to enable photosynthesis, is edible.

But there is a big question mark about insect-resistant genetically modified organisms. Insects will die if they eat them, but is there any problem if humans eat them?

There may be no problem eating it now, but you need to be cautious whether there will be problems in the future.

At the same time, Qi Tongwei collected information on the attitudes of many countries towards genetically modified foods. The EU has relatively strict approval procedures for genetically modified crops and their commercialization is progressing slowly.

Japan allows the sale of genetically modified crops that have been confirmed to be safe, such as soybeans, but its domestic population has a low acceptance of genetically modified foods, so the number of genetically modified foods on the market is relatively small.

The cultivation of woolly bears is prohibited, but some imports are allowed.

Australia and India allow the cultivation of some genetically modified crops, such as canola oil.

The United States is the largest consumer of GMOs, but most of its GMO foods are exported.

People in the country also eat genetically modified foods, but they are all lower-class people. The middle class and above Chinese people basically rarely eat genetically modified foods.

Seeing this, Qi Tongwei basically understood that whether to ban genetically modified foods is ultimately related to the interests of various countries. As the beneficiary, the United States will naturally fully support it.

Although their rich people don't eat it.

The promotion of planting in our country, after all, is related to the actual situation of the country itself and the ambition of some leaders.

In recent years, the urbanization process has accelerated, occupying a large amount of arable land, resulting in a decrease in grain production.

Due to national regulations, the red line of 18 billion mu of arable land must be maintained. Some local leaders will spend money to buy quotas from the north, such as the loess in northern Shaanxi.

On the surface, there are still 18 billion mu of arable land, but the output in the north and south is not at the same level at all, the difference is not a little bit.

Especially in the mountainous areas of northern Shaanxi, there is no way to irrigate, people rely on the weather for food, and there is only one harvest a year. How can they compare with the south?

The country has requirements for grain production, and some leaders thought of genetically modified crops.

Anyway, when reporting, we will not tell our superiors which ones are genetically modified crops, as long as the quantity meets the standards.

As for whether it is healthy or not, they don’t care, because leaders don’t eat it anyway.

As for the grassroots people, these leaders don't care about them.

All they care about is getting promoted and making money.

Qi Tongwei felt that once he had climbed to a certain position, he would have to solve similar problems.

When Qi Tongwei thought about the possibility of solving such a big problem in the future, he felt that his mission was grand!