EMSA presented to Commissioner its opinion about the legal framework to be applied to the New Breeding Techniques

22.01.2016

EMSA presented to Commissioner its opinion about the legal framework to be applied to the New Breeding Techniques

NBTs, or Genome editing, use “natural enzymes” to “cut” or “cut and paste” bits of DNA. They are different to the original genetic engineering in so far as no “foreign” DNA is being added. The scientists are removing or moving or switching genes on or off which are already there in the plant or animal.

Are these new breeding techniques equivalent to GM techniques? Well, it is clearly not traditional plant or animal breeding as we know it. Genome editing produces reproducible genetic change and may well be patentable.

Therefore, EMSA considers first that any plants arising from these new breeding techniques should be subjects to a risk assessment and labelling requirements applicable to other GMOs for at least three reasons:Precision is not the same as predictability. There are questions about just how precise these new techniques are, but even if they can make very precise changes to the genome that doesn’t mean that the results can be entirely predicted. DNA is not lego and a change in one place can have unexpected impacts elsewhere. Classification as GM means the products of the techniques will regulated and labelled, not banned. If plant breeders are sure they are safe, why not allow them to be tested and identified by farmers and consumers?

The new technology could well be patented with patentable methods or genes, in contradiction with the successful existing plant variety rights system, which would limit the right to farmers to save seeds and lead to a greater concentration of market power in the EU seed market.

click here to download the letter sent to the commissioner