Background 

According to EU legislation,^{1, 2} a genetically modified (GM) organism is any biological entity capable of replication or of transferring genetic material, except human beings, in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. This definition excludes organisms obtained through techniques, such as mutagenesis, which do not involve the use of DNA or genetically modified organisms other than those produced.   

Genetic Modification and Genetic Editing 

Most of the currently commercialised GM crops are the result of the selective transfer of one or more genes. The transferred genes may originate from a different (transgene) or the same (cisgene) species. The insertion of new genes produces new proteins which can confer further characteristics to the plant such as resistance to insects (POSTnote 482). 

Gene editing is a different method of genetic modification that does not involve the transfer of genes. This procedure alters the DNA sequence by making targeted and controlled changes. In recent years, gene editing has been enabled on a larger scale as a result of CRISPR-Cas technology (Box 1).^{3, 4}  This technique allows high precision alterations which might be small enough that they are indistinguishable from the changes occurring with conventional breeding.

GE Crops Application 

Gene editing allows the introduction of many kinds of characteristics to crops which can influence their nutritional value and quality. Two examples which are available in the USA market, are a high-oleic-acid oil from GE soya beans and a non-browning GE lettuce.⁵  

According to European scientists, the development of new crop varieties will also help to meet global challenges such as the rise of the global population, the wane of biodiversity, and the increase of the earth average temperature.⁶ 

GE Crop Regulation 

In July 2018, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that GE crops are subject to the same regulations as other GM organisms.⁷ Therefore, GE crops in the EU need authorisation for their cultivation (2001/18/EC), and their commercialisation as food or feed (EC 1829/2003). These authorisations require intensive assessments, and field trials under regulations for GM organisms. British scientists and farmers find these costs extremely restrictive to research institutes and small biotech companies.^{8, 9} 

To date, no GE crops have been approved by the EU for cultivation or commercialisation.¹⁰ However, GE crops are commercially available in a number or countries where they are not considered GM (Box 2). 

This conservative approach responds to the need to protect consumers and the environment from potential risks. 

Scientific community attitude 

In September 2018, researchers from 33 UK science, farming and agricultural–technology organizations raised this concern with the Government. They encouraged recognition of gene editing as a non-GM method since the existing laws already provide scrutiny, risk management and control, sanctions and remedial action for introduction of new crops.⁹ 

Similarly, in January 2019, 98 European research centres from 22 countries sent a letter to the European Commission asking for different legislation for GE crops, arguing that since they do not involve any more risks than conventionally bred crops.¹¹ In July 2019, the European scientific community expressed its concern in an open statement.⁶ They claimed that the ability to use genome editing is crucial for the welfare and food security of European citizens, and the only way to provide a more sustainable agriculture and food production. 

Problems derived from the regulation 

The genomic changes that GE crops might present are difficult to detect with the resources that the EU regulator labs currently have. Also, after finding a variant, it is difficult to determine whether it is the result of gene editing, rather than a natural mutation.⁵  

The decision of many countries not to regulate GE crops, and not to ask companies to release the altered DNA sequences are likely to make the detection of food and feed derived from GE crops even more challenging. Therefore, tracking those that reach the market could be impossible, which would provoke some complications in international trade agreements.⁵ 

Restrictive regulation of plant breeding methods might hinder progress in sustainable agriculture, and give a competitive disadvantage to European and British industries, according to European scientists¹². 

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Clare West and Susannah Rees for critical reading of an earlier draft of this blog post.

References

1. Regulation 1829/2003 on GM food and feed 
2. Directive 2001/18/EC on deliberate release into the environment 
3. Martin Jinek et al, Science. (2012) 
4. L Bortesi and R Fischer, Biotechnol Adv. (2015) 
5. Heidi Ledford, Nature 572, 15 (2019) 
6. www.vib.be/en/news/Pages/Open%20Statement%20for%20the%20use%20of%20genome%20editing%20for%20sustainable%20agriculture%20and%20food%20production%20in%20the%20EU.aspx 
7. Ewen Callaway, Nature 560, 16 (2018) 
8. Andrew Wight, Nature 563, 15-16 (2018) 
9. www.cpm-magazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/180903-Michael-Gove-letter.FINAL_.pdf 
10. European Commission, GM register 
11. www.vib.be/en/about-vib/Documents/2019_00062%20Letter%20to%20President%20Juncker%20on%20genome%20editing_final.pdf 
12. www.vib.be/en/news/Pages/European-scientists-unite-to-safeguard-precision-breeding-for-sustainable-agriculture.aspx 
13. Alan McHughen, GM Crops & Food 7, 3-4 (2016) 
14. Alison VanEenennaam et al, npj Science of Food 3, 3 (2019) 
15. Smriti Mallapaty, Nature (2019) 

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