The European Commission is proposing to relax restrictions on gene-edited crops for E.U. consumers. The July 5th proposal was motivated by considerations of sustainability and the best use of natural resources.
The Commission announcement included, “Farmers and breeders need access to state-of-the-art innovation” This presumably includes alteration of genomes by applying CRISPR technology. The E.U. stipulated that gene-edited cultivars must be labeled so that farmers can select from among conventional and gene-edited seeds.
The decision by the European Commission does not alter the 1999 GMO Directive. From a legal perspective, the Commission regards gene-edited cultivars as “GMOs”. A spokesperson noted, “Gene-edited products fall under the definition of GMOs, and we are not changing that.” He added, “The proposed regulations are a tailored framework for specific products which largely rely on the current architecture of the GMO framework.”
This is obviously not an acceptance of GMO, but it appears that rules can be bent to allow gene-deleted cultivars. Politicians and apparatchiks are now recognizing that GMO technology is pivotal to enhancing productivity and feeding future generations. Sustainability now appears to be more important in decision making than unfounded and misplaced fears of GM products.
Perhaps the new realization will be Frankenfood is better than no food.