The post-Brexit British government is making way for gene edited crops and livestock—which would bring “widespread benefits to consumers and farmers, including healthier food, environmental improvements, and better animal welfare,” reports The Guardian. Here’s what we know.
Yesterday, the UK Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs launched a consultation on the regulation of gene editing technologies. They’ll first look at “regulation of gene edited (GE) organisms possessing genetic changes which could have been introduced by traditional breeding,” followed by genetically modified organisms (GMOs), per the announcement.
This is a sharp shift from the strict EU rules, which “make gene editing for crops and livestock almost impossible” by regulating GE organisms the same as GMOs, which are essentially banned, explains The Guardian.
What they’re saying: “Gene editing has the ability to harness the genetic resources that mother nature has provided, in order to tackle the challenges of our age. This includes breeding crops that perform better, reducing costs to farmers and impacts on the environment, and helping us all adapt to the challenges of climate change,” said UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs George Eustice.
We agree. Gene editing has potential to "reap big benefits for both human health and the health of our environment," as Innovature put it. Now, it's time for smart, science-driven policy around the world that recognizes this.
Want to know more about the science of gene editing?
LISTEN: BIO’s Dr. Clint Nesbitt and the American Seed Trade Association’s Dr. Fan-Li Chou discussed on a recent episode of the Illinois Farm Bureau podcast.
READ: Check out this list of 20 benefits of gene editing plus more content about the science behind gene edited products at www.innovature.com.
