Will The EU Loosen Rules For Gene-Edited Crops?

What is Gene-Editing?

Gene-editing is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism’s DNA by allowing genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome. Gene editing therefore offers a tremendous potential to make precise modifications to a plant’s genes, bestowing them with things like enhanced drought tolerance, reduced susceptibility to disease and numerous other desirable traits.

Through gene editing, future crops could thrive with reduced fertiliser usage, fewer pesticides, less land and less water, paving the way for a more sustainable agriculture model and improved global food security.

It is to be noted that gene-editing is different from genetic modification (GMO) because it does not result in the introduction of DNA from other species and creates new varieties similar to those that could be produced more slowly by natural breeding processes.²

However, the European Union has been cautious in embracing gene editing, making it the largest bloc worldwide yet to fully embrace this technology. Compared to countries like the United States and Argentina, which have successfully implemented gene-edited crops, the EU’s current proposal does not entirely exempt NGTs from biotechnology-specific regulations. While it aims to bolster transparency and potentially ease market entry for a broader range of NGTs, concerns still loom over possible political interference and unwarranted delays in the verification process.

Potential Benefits

Among the various gene editing techniques, CRISPR stands out as the most well-known, allowing for precise alterations within a plant’s own genetic makeup, as opposed to genetic modification (GMO), which involves introducing larger DNA fragments from other species. Notably, gene-edited crops are still relatively new, with only a handful of applications presently available on the market. Examples include a CRISPR gene-edited tomato with increased GABA³ content, possibly aiding in lowering blood pressure and a mustard green developed in the United States that lacks bitterness.⁴

Despite the potential benefits of gene-edited crops, such as enhanced drought tolerance and pest control, there are currently no market-ready crops showcasing these specific traits. Nevertheless, studies on existing GMOs indicate promising environmental benefits. For instance, drought-tolerant HB4 wheat in Argentina (approved in June 2021 making it the first country to do so) could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and bolster agricultural resilience to climate change.⁵

Similarly, if the EU were to embrace existing GMOs to the extent of countries like Brazil, Canada and the United States, agricultural emissions could witness a substantial reduction, thus alleviating pressure on tropical countries to deforest for agricultural expansion.