The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill, which removes regulatory safeguards from whole subclasses of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), is reaching its final stages in the UK Parliament’s House of Lords. In discussions on the Bill, UK Parliamentarians in both Houses are being misled with false, misleading, and biased information that ignores the concerns raised by the science underpinning gene editing technology. The false claims are not confined to the UK – variants of them are being used all over the world in debates about proposals to weaken the regulations around gene editing and other GM technologies. Dr Michael Antoniou and Claire Robinson have published their responses to the claims on GMWatch. The responses are given both in brief and in detail. GMWatch

 

 

In common with the Scottish government, the Welsh government (the Senedd) has refused consent for the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill, which deregulates certain classes of GMOs, to be implemented in Wales. The Welsh government is unhappy with the lack of labelling and traceability for deregulated GMOs, meaning that "Welsh Ministers’ ability to monitor, control or regulate the marketing of these products in Wales will be severely limited". [GMW: This doesn’t stop the bill becoming law but might add some stumbling blocks to some of the statutory instruments needed to complete the regulatory framework.] The Senedd

 

 

Field-realistic acute exposure to glyphosate-based herbicide impairs fine colour discrimination and learning rate in bumblebees, skills vital to colony survival, a new study has found. The scientists conclude that “[Glyphosate-based herbicides] may pose a greater risk to bumblebee colony survival than previously thought” and that "Risk assessments should include tests for learning and memory." Science of The Total Environment

 

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