The authors explain that genome editing, identified as a promising New Plant Breeding Technology (NPBT), has transitioned rapidly from laboratory research to commercial markets.
The researchers point out that global activities in this field are expanding, with an increasing number of plants featuring market-oriented traits being developed and the first products already released to the market.
According to the study, the legislative landscape varies significantly by region, with a few countries—primarily in the Americas—having already adapted their laws or released specific guidelines to support the technology.
In contrast, other nations are still debating their regulatory paths due to a lack of legal clarity or a renewed debate surrounding Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The authors highlight that between 2017 and 2020, eight countries introduced guidelines to clarify the legal status of genome-edited products, with many committed to international policy harmonization.
Ultimately, this publication provides an overview of the current and potential future international regulatory environment while updating the status of genome-edited plants with market-oriented traits.
Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.586027
Reference:
Menz, J., Modrzejewski, D., Hartung, F., Wilhelm, R., & Sprink, T. (2020). Genome Edited Crops Touch the Market: A View on the Global Development and Regulatory Environment. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, 586027.