Li Xiangdong did not expect that our country's experts already had such concerns when genetically modified foods first appeared.
Then, Professor Liu continued, "Besides this, there is another pressing issue."
Li Xiangdong, having lived through the ages, understood Professor Liu's concerns.
Professor Liu noticed that he seemed to understand something from his expression, so he decided to let him explain.
Li Xiangdong stated directly, "Their seeds have high yields and fewer pests and diseases. Over time, these genetically modified seeds will inevitably dominate our country's seed market."
At that time, our native seeds will be marginalized, or even slowly disappear.
Farmers who want to grow grains, fruits, and vegetables have to buy seeds from others.
If purchased seeds only maintain good high-yield traits in the first generation, but the second generation becomes inconsistent in quality, then farmers will have to buy seeds every year.
Yu Yang interjected, "In my hometown, we all save our own seeds every year."
"Yes! Those are our native seeds that have not been genetically modified or bred, so of course they can maintain stable traits from generation to generation."
Li Xiangdong replied, "Of course, we can't say that genetically modified seeds are bad. If they were bad, how could they increase yields?"
However, this technology must be mastered by our own people.
If our food and seeds are controlled by others, we are handing over the fate of the entire nation to them.
Professor Liu nodded slightly, feeling even more satisfied with Li Xiangdong's keen insight. Of course, he was also even more regretful that Li Xiangdong had not taken the college entrance examination and had not become his student.
What he didn't know was that Li Xiangdong's ability to think of these things wasn't because he was particularly intelligent.
These are all his personal experiences in later generations!
In 2000, Monsanto, an American company, visited the China Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
When they returned to the United States, the two sides exchanged gifts.
To demonstrate their sincerity in cooperating, China gifted them a wild soybean seed.
However, this goodwill was not treated equally.
Monsanto used its cutting-edge technology to discover a high-yield, virus-resistant gene fragment in this soybean seed and registered more than 160 operating patents in over 100 countries.
Surprisingly, China is among these 100-plus countries.
Therefore, seeds native to our country have become the patents of other countries and companies.
From then on, this incident became an eternal pain in the hearts of our country and people.
Of course, this is also a big lesson.
Besides genetically modified soybeans, vegetable seeds are also a major affected area.
Shouguang, Shandong, is the largest vegetable wholesale center in China.
However, foreign seeds once held a market share of over 60% in the local market!
There is an unwritten rule in the Shouguang market that imported seeds are sold by the seed, while domestic seeds are sold by the kilogram.
Some vegetable seeds can even sell for 180,000 yuan per kilogram!
Even at such high prices, these seeds are still in short supply.
The reason for this is very simple: the vegetables grown from other people's seeds are of high quality, have high yields, and are free from pests and diseases!
With the spread of foreign seeds, some of the vegetables and fruits that were originally grown in my country have become extinct.
Just like the yellow carrots that the production teams used to grow, they were crisp, sweet, and very juicy, but because they were small and had low yields, they were gradually phased out by the farmers.
Later, the carrots that appeared on the market were all big and thick, almost as big as a white radish, and were orange-red in color.
It tastes completely bland!
Thinking of this, Li Xiangdong silently decided that he must take precautions this time!
As everyone was talking, the food in the kitchen was ready, and the aroma wafting out whetted everyone's appetite.
Li Yan rubbed her stomach and whispered to Ning Ruoruo, "Sister, I'm hungry."
Madam Liu pulled Li Yan close, "Eat! Look how hungry the children are!"
Professor Liu stood up with a smile, "Let's eat first! They haven't even hit us yet, let's not starve ourselves!"
Everyone else was amused as well.
Yes, that's a long way off!
In an instant, the somewhat heavy atmosphere in the room became lively again.
Professor Liu and Li Xiangdong exchanged a glance, both seeing deep worry in each other's eyes.
After the meal, Professor Liu didn't go back to the research institute; instead, he pulled Li Xiangdong directly into his study.
Looking at the tightly closed study door, Yu Yang said to Ning Ruoruo and the others, "How about I take you out for some fun?"
————
Li Xiangdong and Professor Liu stayed in the study for two days and two nights, and did not come out except to eat or go to the toilet.
Mrs. Liu opened a crack in the door to peek inside and heard Professor Liu occasionally glaring and slamming his fist on the table while cursing.
I really don't know what those two were talking about that could make my usually good-tempered husband so angry.
Li Xiangdong racked his brains and recounted all the news, things he had seen and heard in his later life, and even the rumors and gossip.
The more he talked, the angrier Professor Liu became.
"Outrageous! Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"
Professor Liu's refined face turned red with anger, and his voice rose sharply, "You're saying they'll use our wild soybeans, register their own patents, and we'll have to pay a high price to buy them back?!"
Li Xiangdong urged him to calm down. "My goodness, the old man is so old. What if he gets seriously ill from anger?"
"Don't be angry! Calm down! I mean, let's consider this hypothetical situation! If I were Monsanto, I would do the same!"
Li Xiangdong blinked. "Anyway, it harms the interests of other countries, but it's all beneficial to me! Think about it, doesn't that make sense?"
Professor Liu gave him a disapproving look. "None of them are good people!"
Li Xiangdong choked.
Hey!
Why is this old man swearing?!
Professor Liu calmed himself down, realizing he had spoken rashly in the heat of the moment. "You're right, we need to be on guard against them doing that!"
Li Xiangdong nodded, "You and your expert classmates should quickly write a research report and submit it to the government so as to attract their attention."
Professor Liu had the same thought in mind, and patted Li Xiangdong on the shoulder, "Luckily, we have you!"
Li Xiangdong had been working through the night for the past two days, and his eyes were indeed dark circles, and he was choking on his cigarette.
He yawned deeply, "Let's rest first! We'll sleep for a while before writing the report."
He was really worried that the old man would ruin his health by staying up too long.
Professor Liu, looking radiant, waved to him, "Go to sleep first, I still need to discuss something else with those old men."
Watching Li Xiangdong stagger away, Professor Liu sighed, "With that small frame, he can't do scientific research!"
What a waste of such a good brain!
Of course, Li Xiangdong didn't hear Professor Liu's evaluation of him, otherwise he would definitely have cried foul.
He didn't get much rest on the train to Shenzhen either!
Two days and two nights of extreme mental exertion—can an average person's physique withstand that?
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