Gene release could dramatically increase global food security and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides over the next decade, said a scientific adviser to the UK government’s environment department.
Speaking ahead of the introduction of a genetic technology bill in the House of Lords on Wednesday, Professor Gideon Henderson said the legislation was aimed at creating a simpler regulatory framework that would accelerate product development and commercialization. edited by genes allowing them to be treated. unlike genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which are subject to strict regulation.
“It simply came to our notice then [the bill] it will allow accurately bred crops to navigate the regulatory system much faster, in a bit like a year compared to about 10 years under the current regime, ”Henderson said.
This could have numerous benefits, from building crops more resilient to climate crisis, pests and diseases, to increasing crop yields, which could help fight world hunger, Henderson said. It could also be used to create more nutritious crops, such as vitamin D-enriched tomatoes.
The bill will also allow similar changes to be followed for livestock, once a regulatory system has been developed to safeguard animal welfare, for example by avoiding the creation of fast-growing animals that cannot stand it.
Crucially, it makes a distinction between genetic modification, which involves the introduction of genes from other species, and so-called “precision breeding” to create desirable traits. The latter uses gene editing to make changes that mimic the selective breeding process, only more accurately and much faster than traditional breeding would allow.
However, environmental groups ruled out any distinction between the two as a turn of PR. Kierra Box of Friends of the Earth said: “Gene editing is a genetic modification with a different name. It still focuses on altering the genetic code of plants and animals to address the problems caused by poor soils. excessive use of pesticides and intensive agriculture “.
Food labeling is another issue. Assuming it is passed, the bill will only apply in England, which could lead to conflicts with the Scottish and Welsh governments, which maintain, after Brexit, a ban on the production and sale of GMO products.
Liz O’Neill, director of the GM Freeze campaign group, expressed concern that the bill would involve removing labels that allow consumers to choose what they are buying and eating. Henderson said there is currently no intention to introduce a labeling system for genetically edited products.
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The Soil Association said it was disappointed to see the government prioritize technological solutions to the food crisis over strategies aimed at unhealthy diets, lack of crop diversity, overcrowding and farm animals. descent of beneficial insects.
Some scientists agreed that gene editing provided only a partial solution to the problems facing society. “Gene editing has the potential in the medium term to address food production and environmental challenges,” said David Rose, a professor of sustainable farming systems at Cranfield University.
“However, there are legitimate concerns about the potential for gene editing to consolidate power inequalities in the food supply chain, ethical concerns, especially about use in animals, and the potential to facilitate a further intensification of agriculture that could harm the environment. “
Other scientists would have liked the bill to go even further. Professor Jonathan Jones, a plant scientist at Sainsbury’s Laboratory in Norwich, said: “The proposed changes in the regulation of gene-edited crops are a very positive step in the right direction and will better align the UK with regulations outside the EU “.