Transgenic food is safe, said Shi Yuanchun, academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, Friday.

The dispute between the United States and the European Union on transgenic food mainly focuses on trade issues instead of technologic issues.

Shi made the remarks in response to a question at the Seventh General Assembly of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, saying that organisms in common food are naturally selected, while genes of transgenic food are reassembled through science and technology and no risks exist.

People's worries about transgenic food stays focused on food allergies and gene flow, he acknowledged.

More than 1,000 transgenic foods are sold in US supermarkets and no case related to food allergies or other transgenic problems occurred, he said.

So far, the problem of gene flow has not happened in the world, although gene flow is possible theoretically, he acknowledged, adding this issue can be resolved completely with the development of science.

The crucial discovery of DNA and genetic technology creates opportunities for China's agricultural development, he said, noting that China should take this opportunity to develop biological research and industry, which is a vital strategy of agricultural development of China.

(Xinhua News Agency June 5, 2004)