10/August/22

 

Scientists at IRB Barcelona, led by ICREA researcher Dr Fran Supek, report that, depending on the targeted spot of the human genome, CRISPR gene editing can give rise to cell toxicity and genomic instability. This unwanted effect is mediated by the tumour suppressor protein p53 and is determined by the DNA sequence near the editing point and various epigenetic factors in the surrounding region. Using computational methods, researchers in the Genome Data Science lab have analysed the most popular CRISPR library designed for human cells and have detected 3,300 targeted spots that show strong toxic effects. The work, published in Nature Communications, also reports that around 15% of the human genes contain at least one toxic editing point. The researchers found that the gene editing procedure could end up favouring cell populations that have unstable genomes, meaning they are prone to accumulating further mutations, thus increasing the risk of developing cancers. Phys.org

 

 

In autumn 2021, the European Commission launched an initiative to consider a new legal framework for organisms genetically modified through “directed mutagenesis and cisgenesis”. Which GMOs do they mean? Two European databases provide possible answers. The EUGinius database, as of 29 June 2022, had registered 870 GMOs, either plants or animals. It provides various information for each of them, including the company or research institute that developed it, a description of the genetic modifications made and the tools used, the various genetic sequences, and the detection and identification methods. According to EUGinius, 52 GMOs have been obtained by “genome editing”. But none of these 52 organisms are authorised in the European Union. EUGinius does not list commercial authorisations elsewhere in the world. And many of these GMOs may never be commercialised. With transgenic GMOs, the difference between GMOs tested in the field and those actually marketed is great. More than 60 crops were tested between 2003 and 2020 compared with four crops grown commercially. Inf'OGM

 

 

It's the end of road for India’s first genetically modified Bt cotton seed variety developed by a public sector institute from fields in Punjab, as Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) experts have asked farmers to stop using it from current season, citing a pink bollworm scare (GM Bt cotton is supposed to kill this pest, but has failed). Developed by a Ludhiana-based institute in 2017, PAU Bt1 seed variety was aimed at reducing farmers’ cost input on the cash crop that is an economic lifeline of hundreds of farmers in the semi-arid region of Punjab. PAU officials said widespread infestation of the deadly pink bollworm in 2021 forced them to stop promoting the variety that was sown in limited areas in different districts before rolling it out commercially in a big way. Unlike with the hybrid Bollgard or BG1, a Bt seed sold by the private sector, farmers were to be allowed to save and replant the seeds of PAU Bt1. Hindustan Times

 

 

Most cotton in Pakistan is the GM Bt variety. But cotton production in the country has almost halved as GM Bt cotton has fallen victim to pink bollworm. Strong rains appear to destroy the insecticidal properties of the GM Bt cotton. Quantara.de

 

We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible by readers’ donations. Please support our work with a one-off or regular donation. Thank you!