At present, there are 3 kinds of GM rice waiting for commercial planting approval, each involving at least 12 foreign patents; 5 kinds of GM rice are in the process of research and development, each involving 10 foreign patents. Some experts believe that rice is the main food crop in China, and if GM rice is allowed to be planted commercially, the state's control over the main food crops may be threatened.
If GM rice is grown commercially in China, foreign patent holders will prohibit Chinese farmers from keeping seeds, forcing them to buy seeds at high prices every sowing season would most strongly support the expert's view.