GMO proponent sustains online backlash

Xiang Dongliang purchases GM food at a supermarket. Photo by Liu Dongguang/for China Daily

During the 100-day trial, Xiang ate at least one category of GM food every day. He made tomato rice, seafood porridge, rice and vegetable rolls, which he said tasted as good as regular food.

He said he had previously assumed that most of those who had doubts about GM technology were influenced by rumors, such as ones that suggested eating such foods could result in infertility.

However, his experiment made him aware that it would be virtually impossible to change public preconceptions about GM food through mere exposition.

"The fact that major GM technology giants are foreign companies has fueled conspiracy theories. Other rumors, such as government efforts to protect the industry with biotech methods or corruption within the agricultural research sector, only made it worse," he said.

"The rumors, where no science is involved, are virtually impossible to refute. It made me feel powerless," he said.

To enhance user acceptance and greater confidence, Xiang said authorities and industry experts must be fully aware of the roots of public concern about the technology before tackling the bias in the market and public opinion.