Heilongjiang sticks to ban on GM crops

Province: Majority of people support new regulation

Despite a backlash from scholars, the people of Heilongjiang, the northeastern province that grows more than 10 percent of China's grain, appear to be standing united on its ban of genetically modified crops.

Starting in May, farmers will be prohibited from planting GM crops, according to a provincial regulation released in December. Observers have said the ban will hinder the development of biotech, while others have questioned its legality.