State of Genetically Modified Rice in Japan: First Half 2003

State of Genetically Modified Rice in Japan: First Half 2003

(July 2003 GMR Watch)

Development

* Open field cultivation tests begin in Hokkaido
"Kitaake" rice, an acidic-soil resistant strain (modified with corn DNA) was approved for isolated field cultivation in 2002 and for open field cultivation in 2003. The National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences and the National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences lead this development, and open field cultivation will begin this year at the National Agricultural Research Center for Hokkaido Region.
The primary application would be as a seed crop for this acidic-soil resistant variety. Although it is difficult to imagine that this variety would soon be grown for human consumption, the development of this rice variety is currently the most advanced since the development of "Matsuribare" was halted.
After the open field test cultivation, we must be careful of what kind of action develops. In particular, during 2001 and 2002, cultivation tests for genetically modified soy (resistant to Monsanto's Round Up) took place in Hokkaido and there is no telling when commercial planting may occur. This will probably be the first step in the commercial production of genetically modified crops in Hokkaido. It is important that the opposition movement against genetically modified crops gains momentum in Hokkaido.

* Isolated field cultivation tests begin in Tsukuba city, Ibaragi
"Nipponbare," an animal-feed rice variety that stores high concentrations of the essential amino acid tryptophan, was approved for isolated field cultivation in 2003. Development is being carried out by the National Institute of Crop Science. This variety was developed using genetically modified rice enzymes to store high concentrations of tryptophan, an amino acid added to animal feed. The isolated field cultivation is being conducted by the National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences in Tsukuba city, Ibaragi.

* Isolated field cultivation tests begin in Kitakami city, Iwate
"Sasanishiki," a cold-resistant rice variety, was developed by the Iwate Biotechnology Research Center. In 2003, approval was granted for isolated field cultivation, and a two-year isolated field cultivation test period is currently being planned. This variety of Sasanishiki rice has been made more resistant to cold by the introduction of genetic material from other rice varieties. The tests will be conducted in outdoor fields at the Iwate Biotechnology Research Center. Incidentally, it said that this variety will also be resistant to the herbicide paraquat.
In response to these developments, farmers in Towa town, Waga County, Iwate, have formed a Genetically Modified Rice Watch Network and are starting a movement to monitor and stop these test cultivations.

* Planning for development and commercialization of rice for treating diabetes
Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho Co., Ltd. Nippon Paper Industries, and the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences all released press releases on May 12 announcing the development of a genetically modified rice variety that contains peptides necessary for insulin secretion. The releases also indicated a desire to commercially develop the rice as a treatment for diabetes.
Even if the rice were to become a commercial product, it could only be supplied under the guidance of a physician. This variety reportedly targets Type II diabetes, a lifestyle disease, but there are some reports questioning the validity of this claim.
Because this variety is one that is not beneficial to production but rather has value added for the consumer, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is using it to push this entire field of development. The fact that the press releases have been released at this point, during development, shows that there is an attempt being made to recover from the setback to genetically modified rice development caused by the halting of "Matsuribare" herbicide-resistant rice development and the pull-out of JT and Orynova.
But, according to the media, a commercial product is planned for 2006, making it the first such GM rice product.

* Planning a new Green Revolution with a new short stemmed variety
The Bioscience and Biotechnology Center at Nagoya University and The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research have successfully completed the basic research to develop a short-stemmed, high-yield variety of genetically modified rice. This accomplishment was announced on the internet in March 2003 under the title "Successful Genetic Isolation of 'Green Revolution' Rice."

* Preventing Pollen Allergies with Rice
In February 2003, Shigei Medical University and the Department of Agriculture at Tohoku University developed a new rice variety that produces a protein that is a cause of allergies related to cedar pollen. A newspaper article reported that the rice was fed to mice to control the outbreak of allergies by desensitization and that these effects were not diminished when the rice was heated.

* National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences and the International Rice Research Institute Seek a New Green Revolution
The International Rice Research Institute, an independent administrative institution, announced in a December 17, 2003, press release that they were pursuing a new green revolution through genetic engineering over the next five years, working in conjunction with the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences.

In this way, development of genetically modified rice is being carried out by an independent administrative institution under the guidance of the government. Most of the funding is supplied by the government as well. Furthermore, joint development with the IRRI, who lead the promotion of the development of Golden Rice and herbicide-resistant rice, is making progress. Behind all of this activity, we can see the movement of corporations that promote genetic engineering, starting with Monsanto.
There has been no commercial planting of genetically modified crops in Japan as of yet, but we have not escaped from the planting of genetically modified crops, as evidenced by the test crops of soy and other testing occurring throughout the country.
We must expand our activities to resist these developments.


Current Status

In the autumn of 2002, because of a national opposition movement by consumers and farmers, Aichi prefecture and Monsanto stopped development of the herbicide-resistant "Matsuribare" rice variety.
A group called the "Bio-Produce Group" carried out the demonstration cultivation of an herbicide resistant soy crop in 2001 and 2002. Through the growth of the opposition movement and the concern of the government and local authorities, the cultivation has been limited to Yawara village in Ibaragi prefecture.
Despite this resistance, test cultivation of GM rice has begun in Hokkaido, Iwate, and Ibaragi. In response, the opposition movement to prevent domestic GM crops is spreading and gaining strength throughout the country. In particular, rice farmers in Iwate prefecture are proactively opposing GM rice and are being supported by consumer organizations.
In March 2003, Dr. Vandana Shiva, a leader, activist, and scientist working on global and biotechnological issues, visited Japan. She gave a speech at the NO GMO Foods National Meeting and was warmly welcomed by the Tokyo participants.
From June to July 2003, Percy Schmeiser, a Canadian farmer currently battling Monsanto, came to Japan and gave talks at 9 different locations in Japan. Both farmers and consumers agreed with Mr. Schmeiser when he said that if GM crops were grown in the country, it would be impossible to farm organically within a few years, and farmers would lose the freedom to choose their seeds and their farming methods.
Currently, we are working with local opposition movements to gather signatures and support efforts to stop the test cultivation of GM rice, and the demonstration cultivation of herbicide-resistant soy in Yawara village in Ibaragi.

[ August 12, 2003 | report ]