Greater permissiveness in genetics

The European Commission (EC) has launched a review of the EU rules on GMOs in a move that could cause current restrictions to be relaxed.

In 2018, the European Court of Justice ruled that gene editing technologies should be subject to the same rules as GMOs, but a new EC study has concluded that its 2001 GMO legislation “is not suitable for its purpose ”.

Published on April 29, the 117-page EC study found that new genomic techniques (NGT) have the potential to contribute to sustainable food, in line with the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy. from the EU.

Impact of gene editing

Gene editing has the potential to make plants more resistant to disease, environmental conditions, and climate change; create food products with more nutritional value; and reduce the need for agricultural inputs such as pesticides, the study concluded.

However, he acknowledged that there were concerns about safety, environmental impact, the coexistence of GMO technologies with organic and GMO-free agriculture, and issues of labeling, consumers' right to information, and freedom of choice.

“Stakeholders have different and often conflicting views on these issues,” the study authors wrote.

The Commission said it would consult with national governments and others to produce an impact assessment and conduct a public consultation.

Opposing views

While genetic modification means introducing a gene from one type of organism to another, gene editing involves specific adjustments to an organism's DNA, by adding, removing, or altering genetic material at specific locations in the genome.

In its current form, the sale of genetically modified food is prohibited in the EU. There are long-standing fears, particularly among environmental groups and organic producers, about its environmental impacts and the power it could place in the hands of large multinational seed companies. Gene editing carries similar risks, they say.

Innovation in genetics

Rather, the agricultural industry argues that gene editing simply mimics the genetic mutations that occur in conventional breeding anyway.

The British plant research institute NIAB welcomed the report, and Executive Director Dr Tina Barsby said it “could turn out to be a great day for genetic innovation and its contribution to addressing urgent global food safety challenges. , climate change and sustainable development ”.

She added: "That [2018] decision made no scientific sense and was at odds with the regulatory stance of most other countries in the world."

Several European governments, including Germany and France, have expressed their desire for regulatory change. German Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner said she supported the "overdue modernization" of the rules on gene editing, saying it could help farmers produce enough food sustainably.