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Abstract The commercialization of genetically modified organisms(GMOs) has been developing very fast since 1980s. Transgenic technology has been applied to agricultural production, pharmaceuticals, chemical engineering, food industry, environmental protection, energy sources and so on. In recent years, the scale of the commercialization of GMOs has been increasing year by year. Planting area of genetically modified(GM) crops in 2012 reached to 170.3 million hm2, which was 100 times compared with that of 1996. Meanwhile, the approved species of GMOs increases continuously and the commercialization of GMOs has brought remarkable economic and environmental benefits. In addition, the safety assessment system of GMOs is being continuously developed, further guaranteeing food safety and the environmental safety of GMOs. The priority development of GMOs will focus on stacked trait GM crops, transgenic pharmaceutical or industrial plants and nutritionally improved varieties of GM crops. Furthermore, GM animals would make more contributions to the development of the industrialization of GMOs. And the application of genetically engineered microorganisms which has been comparatively mature will also be more extensive in the future. However, it is undeniable that the commercialization development of GMOs still faces controversies and challenges from food and environmental safety, patent right, science and technology, and popularization of science. In China, independent research and developmental ability of GM products needs to be improved. Also, the industry standardization system and the risk communication mechanism require to be established and perfected gradually. Therefore, Chinese government should strengthen scientific research, promoting the commercialization of GMO timely and appropriately.
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Received: 21 October 2013
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