Global status of genome editing versus transgenesis legislation in plants and the current EU situation

Abstract

Precise breeding programs using new genome editing techniques have been developed to create plant varieties adapted to climate change. We studied the regulatory status of the 196 members of the United Nations (distinguishing the four UK countries) according to their legislation on transgenesis. We identified eight statuses for these techniques: ‘allowed for any use’ (24 countries, Argentina being the first in 2015), ‘allowed for import’ (1), ‘legislation under discussion’ (37), ‘not allowed except for food aid’ (0), ‘not allowed’ (3), ‘regulated as transgenics’ (7), ‘no legislation’ (114) and ‘no data available’ (10). We discussed the current situation in the European Union (EU) as many countries are awaiting its regulation. We also examined field trials carried out by six EU countries. We looked at authorised and commercialised gene-edited (GenEd) plants. Countries that have authorised transgenic (Tr) plants are 22.6% more likely to approve GenEd plants than those that have not.