Jakarta (ANTARA) – Member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have discussed agricultural innovations and stronger safety principles for the use of genome technologies in crops and livestock to bolster regional food security.
During the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology held in Dalian, China, earlier this week, forum chair Li Xin Hai said the application of agricultural biotechnology, including transgenic engineering, gene editing, and synthetic biology, had driven scientific and technological transformation.
“With the development of artificial intelligence, these technologies provide new solutions for food security, addressing climate change, and promoting sustainable agricultural development,” Li said in an official APEC statement released on Thursday.
At the forum, delegates highlighted how precision breeding, which involves editing specific genes rather than relying solely on successive generations of crossbreeding, is already producing tangible results. The technology is increasingly being applied to various fruit, vegetable, and livestock varieties.
Experts also noted that genome editing in agricultural products can improve drought tolerance, increase productivity with less fertilizer use, and enhance nutritional value.
The meeting highlighted the development of rice varieties with lower glycemic indexes and higher protein content, which could slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream after consumption. Such products could offer additional dietary options for people with diabetes.
Despite these scientific advances, public reluctance to consume genetically modified foods remains widespread, partly due to perceptions that such products may be unsafe or unhealthy.
To address public skepticism, delegates emphasized the need for science-based regulations that are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and can adapt to the emergence of new technologies.
These evaluations should cover both food safety and environmental risks at every stage of product development. They should also be supported by data-driven risk assessments to encourage adoption among farmers while maintaining biosafety standards.
In addition to strengthening regulations, consistent public education and strategic communication were deemed essential to building consumer confidence in genetically modified foods.
“APEC economies differ in development levels, resource endowments, and regulatory practices, so it is only natural that we hold different priorities and concerns in agricultural biotechnology. Yet it is precisely this diversity that makes information exchange vital and cooperation necessary,” Li concluded.
The high-level forum in Dalian served as a prelude to the upcoming APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Hangzhou, China, scheduled for August 25.
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Reporter: Uyu Septiyati Liman
Editor: Primayanti
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