CRISPR-Cas and other new genetic engineering tools (NGT) have the potential to create stronger and more environmentally friendly wheat, corn, and soy plants. However, strict regulations on plant genome interventions have limited their use. A new EU proposal aims to relax regulations for NGT plants. While companies and scientists welcome this, nature conservation associations and the Federal Environment Minister have expressed criticism.
NGT tools differ from traditional genetic engineering tools that have been subject to EU regulations since 2001. Traditional genetically modified organisms (GMOs) contain foreign genes, while NGT tools generally modify the plant’s own genes. The changes made through NGT tools are usually small, such as swapping a few bases or adding or removing some bases within one species. This allows for targeted improvements in plant traits, such as disease or drought resistance. NGT plants cannot be distinguished from conventionally bred plants through typical PCR techniques.
The issue of labeling and control arises with NGT plants. Since these plants do not contain foreign genes, it is crucial for manufacturers to label the seeds to ensure transparency. However, the same challenge exists for conventional breeding methods that use mutagenesis to induce mutations. PCR tests cannot determine the origin of a variety in either case.
Concerns have been raised about the potential risks of using CRISPR and NGT tools, such as creating mutations that could harm sensitive ecosystems. However, similar mutations can occur through conventional breeding methods as well. The EU proposal categorizes NGT plants based on the extent of modification, with stricter regulations for heavily modified plants. The distinction between NGT plants and conventionally bred varieties is necessary to assess ecological risks.
The threshold of 20 base pairs to differentiate between the two categories of NGT plants is arbitrary but reasonable. The number was agreed upon through expert panel discussions and aligns with the precautionary principle. Selective mutations within this range are naturally occurring and do not pose a higher risk compared to conventional varieties.
