24/March/21

 

The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE), which advises the EU Commission, has published its report on New Genetic Engineering (New GE or gene editing). While the report makes thoughtful points on gene editing in humans and livestock animals, the chapter on plants is another matter. Analyses of the report by GMWatch and Testbiotech have found that this section lacks balance and scientific accuracy. Testbiotech thinks there may be a straightforward explanation: "Testbiotech is... raising questions in regard to the independence of the experts involved. Julian Kinderlerer is the leading (and presumably only) expert of the EGE group dealing with New GE applications in plants. He has also acted as a leading member of organisations funded by the biotech industry." GMWatch

 

 

The Indian government has scrapped its decision to allow field trials of GM crops, including GM Bt brinjal (aubergine). The central regulator, GEAC, last year allowed field trials of two GM varieties of brinjal in 8 states during 2020-23. But the Bhartiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) and other farmer groups submitted representations to the central and state governments, urging them not to give a "no objection certificate" for the trials. The farmer groups argued that Bt brinjal would harm soil and the farmers' interests. The Times of India

 

 

In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with Prof Richard Ebright, the long-time critic of risky pathogen research is asked about the merits of the WHO investigation, its personnel, and its forthcoming report. The interview also asks about Gain-of-Function (GoF) research and the surprising silence of the Cambridge Working Group. In the interview Dr Ebright describes how US scientific leaders deliberately circumvented the GoF research pause placed on them. The directors of NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) and NIH (National Institutes of Health) even stymied risk benefit assessment of such research. Independent Science News

 

 

An article on Japan's gene-edited tomato specifically mentions the post-Brexit UK as a possible target for the experimental product. The article also mentions the developer Sanatech Seed's commercialisation plan, which centres on deliberate contamination via free distribution of the seeds to home gardeners in Japan. Such free distribution of GM seeds is a time-honoured tactic by GMO developers. It was used to spread illegal GM flax in Canada, leading to market collapse for Canadian flax exports to Europe. GMWatch

 

 

Some 73% of Welsh voters do not support any weakening of GM regulations, according to a survey released by Unchecked UK. The survey included the following question: “Now that the UK has left the European Union, some organisations are calling on the UK government to remove or alter laws that were originally required by the EU. In your opinion, what should happen to each of the following types of regulation?" One of the types of regulation listed was "Rules which restrict the genetic engineering of food". The results showed that a total of 73% of respondents wanted to keep the rules the same (31%) or strengthen them (42%). Only 9% wanted to remove or weaken them. GMWatch