On the map of food security in today's world, a small rice seed plays a vital role. Hybrid rice, known as the "Oriental Magic Rice", has not only solved the problem of hunger for countless people in China and even around the world, but also is a strategic treasure of the country. The high yield of hybrid rice makes it invaluable in resisting natural disasters and stabilizing the global food supply. However, it is precisely this seemingly insignificant achievement that has made it a favorite in the eyes of spy agencies (Source: Ministry of State Security Case Reports).
Why did spies target hybrid rice seeds? The key lies in the germplasm resources behind them. Germplasm resources are not only the cornerstone of agricultural scientific research, but also the core of national agricultural competitiveness. The parental seeds of hybrid rice, because of their unique genetic advantages and characteristics that are difficult to replicate, have become the focus of international scientific and technological competition. The genetic diversity of this parental rice breed allows each cross to create a new variety, resulting in significant improvements in yield, disease resistance, adaptability, etc.
Therefore, the protection of hybrid rice parental seeds is not only to maintain the autonomy of agricultural science and technology, but also to the bottom line of national food security. In this sense, each seed carries the future of the country and the well-being of the people. In this complex and delicate arena of international competition, China's determination and wisdom lie not only in developing technology, but also in adhering to the rules to ensure the safe and rational use of germplasm resources (data source: Seed Law of the People's Republic of China).
Yuan Longping, a scientist known as the "father of hybrid rice", is well aware of the importance of hybrid rice parent seeds for national food security. When he proposed the theory of hybrid rice in the early 1960s, he faced unprecedented challenges. As plant geneticist Professor Li Denghai said, "The research and development of hybrid rice is a difficult journey from ideal to reality. At that time, finding the right male sterile line was like searching for treasure in the vast rice field, and Yuan Longping's team screened out the precious 6 sterile strains from thousands of ears of rice with perseverance, opening a precedent for hybrid rice in China.
On the basis of finding the sterile line, Yuan Longping's team further solved the problem of the maintainer line and the restorer line. In 1973, they achieved the success of the "two-line method", which significantly simplified the breeding process. However, this innovation did not happen overnight, and according to Zhao Zhongwang, an agricultural technologist, they encountered numerous failures during the experiment, but they always stayed true to their original scientific intentions. The birth of this "two-line" method not only increased yield, but also reduced the cost of breeding, marking a major leap forward in China's hybrid rice technology.
In the global race for seed security, the protection of germplasm resources is not only related to the frontier of agricultural science and technology, but also an important part of the national security strategy. International agricultural organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have emphasized that the management and conservation of germplasm resources is a key element of global food security. John Doe, a biodiversity expert at Cornell University in the United States, pointed out in his research report: "The loss of germplasm resources could lead to bottlenecks in future agricultural innovation and threaten the sustainability of the global food supply. ”
The Chinese government is well aware of this and has issued a series of strict laws and regulations to ensure the safety of germplasm resources. Li Minghui, former minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, once emphasized: "The Seed Law of the mainland stipulates that germplasm resources belong to the state, and no unit or individual may provide or transfer them abroad without approval. "This policy aims to prevent the loss of key technologies and ensure the autonomy and controllability of mainland agriculture.
In the context of globalization, international cooperation has become an inevitable choice for the conservation and utilization of germplasm resources. However, this does not mean that the sharing of technology is tantamount to the relinquishment of sovereignty. As Dr. Zhang San from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences said, "While sharing germplasm resources, we also need to establish strict regulatory mechanisms to ensure that intellectual property rights and security boundaries are respected." "This means that in international cooperation, we need to find a balance that meets the needs of scientific research exchange and effectively guards against potential risks.
In the 21st century, the innovation of hybrid rice technology has not only continued to promote in China, but also has had a far-reaching impact on the world. With the rapid development of gene editing technology, such as the introduction of CRISPR-Cas9, hybrid rice has entered the era of "precision breeding". Academician Li Jiayang from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences said: "The application of gene editing technology allows us to precisely modify the genetic characteristics of crops, which will greatly improve the adaptability and yield potential of hybrid rice. ”
At the same time, international agricultural organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognize the critical role of Chinese hybrid rice in global food security, and they encourage countries to share hybrid rice technology and knowledge to reduce poverty and hunger. "China's achievements in hybrid rice provide a template for global food security, and through technology transfer and international cooperation, we can collectively address global food challenges," said FAO's Dr Matthew Herman. ”
In the face of future challenges, such as climate change and the pressure on land resources, China is actively promoting the sustainable development of hybrid rice. Zhao Bing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, predicts: "As research continues to deepen, we look forward to seeing more environmentally friendly hybrid rice varieties that will be stable and high yields even under extreme climatic conditions and become a solid pillar of global food security." ”
In the context of globalization, the protection of hybrid rice parental seeds is no longer only the responsibility of China, but a common issue for all countries and the international community committed to food security. Through scientific and technological innovation and international cooperation, China is leading a green revolution aimed at eradicating hunger and securing the world's food supply, and at the heart of this revolution is the seemingly mundane but huge potential of small rice seeds.