Scientists have discovered that the cells of early human embryos are often unable to repair damage to their DNA caused by the CRISPR/Cas gene editing process. The researchers say that this has important implications for the proposed use of gene editing to repair mutated genes, which underlie serious inherited diseases, as well as for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in general. GMWatch sought the opinion of molecular geneticist Dr Michael Antoniou, who uses genetic manipulation techniques, including gene editing, in clinical research. What he told us suggests that the new findings likely will kill attempts to carry out human germline editing in humans using CRISPR/Cas – and that attempts to get around the problem by using alternative genetic manipulation methods may also prove problematic. Dr Antoniou said the findings also have relevance to some agricultural gene-edited GMOs – certainly to animals and possibly to plants, casting yet more doubt on the viability and safety of these types of GMO. GMWatch

 

 

On 5 July 2023, the European Commission is due to publish its legislative proposal for the new generation of GMOs (new GMOs, or so-called "new genomic techniques" or NGT). The proposal is expected to exclude new GMOs, such as products from CRISPR-Cas9, from the current EU legal framework for GMOs, which will exempt them from labelling requirements as well as safety checks and traceability processes. While the Commission has strongly promoted the supposed benefits of new GMOs to help transition towards more sustainable food systems, actual impacts of their far-reaching deregulation have not been properly evaluated by EU officials. Friends of the Earth Europe made an analysis of the upcoming legislative proposal’s various impacts on the food supply chain, consumer and biodiversity. Mute Schimpf of FoE Europe said: “The European Commission is choosing to put untested and hidden new GMOs into our fields and onto our plates. There are no legitimate reasons to trample the precautionary principle and sacrifice the right of consumers and farmers to know that they eat or sow. The Commission is falling for the deceptive lobbying campaign led by big agribusiness, instead of protecting its citizens’ best interests." GMWatch

 

 

According to recent research by No Patents on Seeds!, more than one thousand conventionally bred plant varieties are already affected by European patents. Despite European patent law specifically prohibiting patents on plant varieties, this development has crept in unnoticed by the public. As a consequence, the current European plant breeding system is facing a deep crisis, leaving traditional breeders facing a serious threat, the possible end of their current freedom to operate. These are some of the findings in an expanded version of a report published by No Patents on Seeds! Johanna Eckhardt of No Patents on Seeds! said, “Our research shows that more and more new varieties brought onto the market are being covered by patents. Many of the conventionally bred varieties are even covered by claims in several different patents. We need political decisions to make sure that biodiversity needed by all plant breeders is not grabbed by big companies." It is mostly international companies from the agrochemical sector that are filing these patents – such as Bayer, BASF, Syngenta, and Corteva, but also some traditional breeders, such as Rijk Zwaan and KWS. No Patents on Seeds!

 

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!