Zhang Zhengbin, professor at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Gene transfer is the core and a common phenomenon of any biological evolution in nature. The reason why there is still huge controversy over genetically modified food is that we don't have sufficient exchange with the public. If we explain loud and clear, I think they will understand.

A set of fossil genes unveils the biological evolution 305 years ago. There were primitive plants and animals evolving into higher class plants and animals. During the process, many genes were newly produced, some were the result of repetition, and some were missing, so the gene carried out extensive exchanges among themselves during the evolution.

Genetic modification is taking place everywhere; a bee can carry pollen from one species of flower to a different kind of flower, resulting in a lot of genetic modification. It is precisely because of GM that we have biodiversity, so there should be nothing to fear.

Zhang Lei

(China Daily 02/04/2014 page8)