Food tech startup Pairwise has decided to discontinue marketing its first CRISPR gene-edited product – mustard greens genetically engineered "to remove the off-putting bitter flavour commonly associated with members of the brassica family", according to an article in Food Navigator USA. Pairwise CEO Tom Adams said the company "did not have the resources to effectively market the salad its and continue developoing gene-edited products". He said Pairwise was looking for "the right partner to take that product forward". [GMW: The whole point of mustard greens is that their bitterness "cuts" the flavour of the other foods they are served with, as well as providing health benefits. For other gene-edited food flops, see this, this, this, and this.] GMWatch comment on article in Food Navigator USA

 

 

Just like the EU Commission, the EU Parliament now also displays a clear disregard of science by endorsing the deregulation of new GM plants, says the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER). ENSSER adds that the Parliament thereby puts EU citizens and the environment at risk, in conflict with the Parliament's mandate to represent their interests. Citizens must now hope that the EU Council, which is still undecided, will stop this deregulation. Dr Ricarda Steinbrecher (biologist and molecular geneticist, board member of ENSSER) said: "New genomic techniques (NGTs) can achieve deep and far-reaching changes in a plant - radically altering biochemical pathways and composition. The processes cause further unintended changes. Risk assessments would ensure the safety of new GM plants and are essential to protect the environment, biodiversity and human health. Safety issues that were not identified in pre-market risk assessment can become apparent after commercialisation. Hence labelling and transparency are important." ENSSER via GMWatch

 

 

Pesticide makers could undermine state and local governments’ right to adopt rules that protect communities from exposure to toxic crop chemicals, if some members of Congress get their way. They’re looking to make their case during debates over this year’s farm bill and federal agency funding. These pesticide manufacturers want to limit states and localities from passing and enforcing additional requirements for warnings and information related from pesticides, bending the rules so that people sickened by exposure to these chemicals can’t seek any remedies. Pending House and Senate bills would achieve the companies’ goal. If the pesticide provisions become law, crop chemical makers could avoid having to pay millions in liability cases to people sickened by exposure, even as emerging research shows many of the substances can cause cancer and other diseases. These problematic pesticides include RoundUp, which contains glyphosate, and Gramoxone, which contains paraquat. EWG

 

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!