A method for the detection of genetically modified components (GMCs) is reported for detection of GMCs in rice plants and foods using a membrane-based array. A DNA sequence as probes was immobilized on modified paper film-chips to form the sensing array surface. The target DNA from sample was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using labeled biotin primers. The PCR products were added to the sensing surface using an automatic membrane-based array instrument (MAI). When the target DNA passed the surface, it was captured by the complementary probes. The signal was visualized with a streptavidin/alkaline phosphatase (AP) and AP color development kit. Compared to manual dot blotting, the MAI could automatically and rapidly finish several GMC types of rice detection, such as BT11, TC1507, Mon88017, and Mon89034. Stable 1 Sheng-Sheng Zhang 2 Li-Chun Qiu Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Information Science Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com by LA TROBE UNIVERSITY on 06/16/16. For personal use only. and consistent qualitative results were acquired. The sensitivity reached 0.1%. Thus, the automatic MAI might be a valuable GMC detection tool.