TCM seeds from space head to the lab (2)

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China has produced giant eggplants, half-meter-long cucumbers, peppers with improved yields and reduced seeds and glossy ganoderma more resistant to diseases, among many other plants.

Scientists say the radiation and micro-gravity in space can cause natural changes to the seeds without involving artificial genetic modification.

Liu Min, a scientist who specializes in seed technology, told China Daily in a previous report that radiation-induced mutation is an widely-recognized, safe way to breed new crop varieties, given the fact that it does not splice any foreign genes into the plants.

Liu Liang, head of the Macau University of Science and Technology, said at a ceremony for the delivery of the seeds on Friday that space germination is opening a new chapter for traditional Chinese medicine.

"The combination of the country's space technology and TCM holds a promising future," Liu said.

Zhang Jianqi, chairman of the China Space Foundation, responded to Liu's hope for the merging of the programs by saying that long-term support and cooperation will be launched in exploring traditional Chinese medicine.

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