Controversy erupts over genetically modified rice study
Scientists deny involvement in using 68 primary-school pupils for American-led research of genetically modified grain strain
A controversy has erupted on the mainland over the ethics of using primary-school children in Hunan in a study of the nutritional value of a genetically modified (GM) rice strain.
And the latest twist is that several Chinese scientists named as partners in the American-led study, conducted four years ago, denied participating in it at all, the People's Daily said yesterday.
Yin Shian , a researcher at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, told the state-run newspaper that he was only aware of scientific trials involving spinach, not rice.
Last month, a paper titled "Beta-carotene in golden rice is as good as beta-carotene in oil at providing vitamin A to children" was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, published by the American Society of Nutrition.
Golden rice is a genetically modified rice species developed and recommended by scientists to address vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. The paper's lead author was Tang Guangwen, director of the Carotenoids and Health Laboratory at Tufts University in Boston.
The paper said 68 Hunan children aged six to eight were given either golden rice, spinach or beta-carotene in an oil capsule. The study concluded that Vitamin A levels in the 23 children who received golden rice matched those of the children given the capsules and exceeded those who were fed spinach.