Global area of genetically modified crops (GM crops or biotech crops) continues to grow. It was 189.9 million hectares in 2017. Recently, a total of 24 countries have approved GM crops for planting and additional 43 countries have formally imported biotech crops for food, feed, and processing, meaning that biotech crops are now commonly accepted in those countries. With the continuous growth of the global population and the impact of climate change, research and commercialization of genetically modified crops are important for solving global food security issues in the future. At present, a large number of GM rice varieties have been cultivated in China (Chen et al. 2004; Jia 2004). Among them, GM rice varieties with insect resistance (Bt, CpTI genes), disease resistance (Xa21 genes), and herbicide resistance (bar, EPSPs genes) are waiting for relevant planting permits (Chen et al. 2004). In particular, two varieties, “Huahua 1” and “Shanyou 63”, developed by China Huazhong Agriculture Co., Ltd. have obtained GM rice safety certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture of China. However, there is still a lot of controversy in South Korea on the commercialization and safety research of GM products. This article aims to conduct a rational analysis of China's GM rice pollen mobility and China's current GM rice commercialization process to provide relevant reference basis for safety evaluation and future commercialization process of GM rice in South Korea.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

• Assessment of potential gene flow from resveratrol-enriched genetically modified rice to non-genetically modified rice and weedy rice
  Sang Dae Yun, Sung Dug Oh, Yang Qin, Myung-Ho Lim, Hye Lin Kim, Je Yeon Choi, Eun Young Kim, Sung Aeong Oh, Seong-Kon Lee, Doh-Won Yun, Tae-Hun Ryu, Jae Kwang Kim, Soon Ki Park
  Journal of Plant Biotechnology.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Pollen Quantitative and Genetic Competitiveness of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Their Effects on Gene Flow
  Ning Hu, Dantong Wang, Qianhua Yuan, Yang Liu, Huizi Jiang, Xinwu Pei
  Plants.2025; 14(13): 1980.     CrossRef

Gene flow events from genetically modified (GM) rice to adjacent non-GM rice lines naturally happen in the field. GM rice lines containing desirable agronomic traits such as tolerance to abiotic stresses and resistance to biotic stresses can be used to cross with non-GM cultivated rice and also to wild species of rice. This event can eventually lead to offspring which possess traits that allows a better chance of survival in the field. However this phenomenon has the possibility to produce undesirable effect in the environment surrounding the rice field. The
objective
of this study was to determine the out-crossing rate of GM rice to cultivated rice. Transgenic rice, Hwangkembyeo (containing beta-carotene enhancing gene and bar gene) and cultivated rice, Nakdongbyeo (mother plant of Hwangkembyeo) were used in this study. Results showed that most gene flow events occurred within 1 m range. In particular, gene flow events mostly happened within 30 cm, while it was rarely observed beyond 90 cm range. The maximum distance for gene flow event was observed at 6 m range however the sharp cut point distance was observed at 60–90 cm range. The prevailing gene flow direction was Northwest (NW) which coincided with the prevailing wind of Southeastern (SE) direction. Wind direction and distance were found to be the most important factors for determining rice out-crossing rate. But for more accurate prevention of GM gene flow, many factors should be considered like the local weather condition, wind direction, wind speed and flowering time.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

• Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) is predominantly cross-pollinated
  Debal Deb
  Botany Letters.2026; 173(2): 156.     CrossRef
• Assessment of potential gene flow from resveratrol-enriched genetically modified rice to non-genetically modified rice and weedy rice
  Sang Dae Yun, Sung Dug Oh, Yang Qin, Myung-Ho Lim, Hye Lin Kim, Je Yeon Choi, Eun Young Kim, Sung Aeong Oh, Seong-Kon Lee, Doh-Won Yun, Tae-Hun Ryu, Jae Kwang Kim, Soon Ki Park
  Journal of Plant Biotechnology.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Pollen Quantitative and Genetic Competitiveness of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Their Effects on Gene Flow
  Ning Hu, Dantong Wang, Qianhua Yuan, Yang Liu, Huizi Jiang, Xinwu Pei
  Plants.2025; 14(13): 1980.     CrossRef
• Influence of heading date difference on gene flow from GM to non-GM rices
  Sung-Dug Oh, Ancheol Chang, Boeun Kim, Soo-In Sohn, Doh-Won Yun
  Journal of the Korean Society of International Agricultue.2018; 30(4): 347.     CrossRef