In the modern precision breading, CRISPR cas 9 techniques of gene editing (deletion, insertion) is taking over the transgenic genetic engineering (GE) of crops and animals of importance to humans. At this point is there any reason for us to worry about GMO safety or adverse environmental effects? Why or why not? Please share us you opinions with supporting literatures.
The whole issue about the safety of GMOs rests on a fundamental confusion. The safety of newly created varieties doesn't depend on how they are created (traditional breeding, 1st generation GMOs, CRISPR-Cas9), but on what they are. A pitbull is more dangerous than a poodle, yet both have been created by traditional breeding. Some varieties of potatoes generated by traditional breeding had to be rejected because the tubercles had a too high content of solanin. GMO technology, particularly CRISPR-Cas9, enables a much more precise control that classical breeding of what is being modified in the newly generated variety. In addition, changes effected by CRISPR-Cas9 are indistinguishable from changes that could have been effected by natural mutations or mutagenesis caused by general mutagens such as irradiation or chemical mutagenesis.
Pierre Béguin Thank you for the clear and insightful perspective. I understand that there has never been any issue with genetic modification be it mutagenic, transgenic or CRISPR-Cas9 generations. Everything were just confusions. Thank you once again for making that crystal clear.
I also believe that GE is one of very few potentials we have to increase food production and supply to continue being able to feed 10 billion people by 2050. Feeding humanity is way more concerning than the fake concern from GMO food safety and environmental sustainability challenges.
Tadesse Fikre Teferra The promising future of gene editing in agriculture is recognised by experts around the world. Gene-editing can have a profound impact on global agriculture through rapid development of crop varieties with diverse desirable traits. Gene editing through CRISPR/Cas9 can create desired variations more precisely without affecting other characters of a variety. Many countries (United States, Canada, Argentina, Japan, China, Australia, etc.) have decided that for minor genome changes there is no need to apply GMO regulations, which as a result both lowers the registration costs of new genome editing products and promotes innovation. Conversely, the European Union, by the judgment of its Court of Justice (CJEU) of 25 July 2018, decided that new genome editing techniques produce GMOs. However, only large international conglomerates have a sufficient financial base to meet the regulatory requirements applied to them.
After years of neglect, Indian scientists have made progress in using gene-editing to develop Vitamin A-rich banana and improved varieties of rice, millets, pulses and tomato even as absence of a regulatory policy prevents their release for commercial use. Though the department of biotechnology (under Ministry of Science and Technology) has prepared detailed guidelines on how to use gene-editing to improve crop varieties, the regulatory body Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is yet to distinguish it from genetically modified (GM) technology and is still considering the matter solely from transgenic angle despite clarifications from top scientific academies and research institutions.
Best regards, AKC
CRISPR strategy is also genetic manipulation and requires immense biosafety trials like transgenic organisms.
CRISPR CAS 9 strategy is a more advanced technique in the field of GMO or gene manipulation. But more long-term biosafety trials are required to ensure biosafety. Before that CRISPR GMO rugulation is required.
Tadesse Fikre Teferra
CRISPR-Cas system is a tool having many applications. It can also be used to insert a gene at a precise locus. If it is used to insert a gene or a foreign genetic element, then the plant created is still considered as GMO. Then, you still have to follow the traditional GMO regulation and rules. Only a few categories of CRISPR-created plants are considered 'non-GMO', and the call is also depended on in which countries are talking about. For example, the ruling is different between Europe and US.
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