Environmental Risk Characteristics And Regulation Of Transgenic Crops In China

Transgenic crop has been expanded rapidly since the appearance of first transgenic tomato in America market in 1993. It is common knowledge that there are risks in this area just like all other new technologies, and the existing regulation and policy need to be updated to adapt to these new technologies. While taking the most advantages of this transgenic technology and keeping the accompanied risk under control is becoming one of the most important issues around the world.There is limited number of publications related to the classification of these risks, and less was reported regarding to the combined effect of the risk characteristics and the management. The management of the risk is more to do with the proper management of related stuff and their activities. From our investigation of individual cases, such risk classification is very important in control the risks, and there are little report in risk classification in the world. Scientific research institutes can be the original source of these risks. The inspection and detection centre for transgenic security is the most important force in finding, assessing and analyzing any risks. According to above information, we first adopted theory of Planned Behavior, Goal-setting theory and Information Asymmetry and designed examinations to test the behavioral characteristics of research scientists. In the mean time, we also studied the current condition of the inspection and detection centre for transgenic security. From these results, we found the characteristics and the deficiency of administration.The major results are:1. Risk characteristics of transgenic crops have shown the knowledgeable, uncertainty, lagging relatively stagnates, public externality, irreversibility and credence characteristics, and the effect of government management has also shown the credence characteristics. These risks can be classified into three groups the risks with the attribute of search goods, risks with the attribute of experience goods and the risks with the attribute of credence goods, and the governance mechanism should be correspondence to the attributes of the risks. The risks with the attribute of search goods which can be called the operation risks were caused by the improper operations. Administration regulation can be effective, because the risks are easy to be indentified. The risks with the attribute of experience goods which are indentified more difficult than the risks with search goods attribute should be adapted reputation mechanism to reduce information asymmetry. So, internal management of the research institute, or administration management as an assistant should be the best regulation method which can be use the scientists' knowledge effectively. The last group of risks which is the most difficult to be indentified and most important and popular should be adapted integrated mechanism, such as reputation, examining, market competition, law and so on.2. We first collected and analyzed the behavioral pattern of scientists in transgenic crop research area. The results indicated that their attitude are rather cautious and risk preventive, but not enough knowledge to recognize the early risks and understand little about the regulations. Their knowledge and understanding about the potential risks can influence their behavior in controlling those risks. At present the security control and management is not sufficient in our research institutes. These security regulations haven't been implemented and enforced efficiently. The security administration is not effective in monitor research activities. The internal supervision of research institute can be effective. Research scientists believe that the best security system should have internal supervision as the major force plus administration assistance.3. Investigation result of the inspection and detection centre for transgenic security indicated that they strongly rely on the research institutes and universities, the stuff members mostly are senior research scientists. In the last three years, the major task is to detect the transgenic component, and these tasks are mainly from government. Currently their work load is well under their capacity and some of their equipments are still to be placed and the funding is not sufficient. There are also lack of specialists who have strong background both in biochemistry and genetic biotechnology. At present there is no specific funding to support the research of technology in risk testing and evaluation.4. After analyzing and testing three existing models of regulatory system for transgenic organisms in the world, and regulatory system of China, we identified the problems in our regulatory system. We often over emphasized the characteristics of new technologies and overlooked the behavioral management. The responsibility and understanding of State Department and administration sector of Agricultural Ministry are mismatched and some major adjustments are needed. The relationship and responsibility need further clarification among associated departments, and the government management needs to be regularly evaluated.Based on above results, we suggest:1. according to the risk characteristics, adopting risk classification management, to help research scientists to recognize the potential risks and their risk control ability2. to provide appropriate equipment in risk prevention in research institutes. 3. to identify and clarify the role and function of the inspection and detection centre for transgenic security, to improve the condition and to build an effective team, and to support some project for studying the detect technology of transgenic crops and building a sustainable system in place to manage these potential risks.4. according to the behavioral characteristics, to adopt pertinent examinationsThe material, data and researcher of this study has special feature and advanced and expanded the research area in this subject.1. due to the risk characteristics, the risk management and study need solid background knowledge of the researcher in both science and economy, and the researcher happen to have extensive experience in both areas.2. the data are random and collected from a wide range research individuals, can best present the current situations in risk management in transgenic crop development. All related procedure of transgenic crop were examined first hand, the behavioral pattern of research scientists were investigated and analyzed.3. from the research results, the risk characteristics were first identified and classified, adopted theories of Planned Behavior and Goal-setting to obtain the behavioral patterns and to identified the key factors influencing those behaviors. It clarified the role, function and identified the problems of the inspection and detection centre for transgenic security. After analyzing these results, the problems in current administration and risk inspection were also identified.These findings have expanded the research area in transgenic security management and provided reliable information for establishing an efficient security system.