New genetic engineering: just promise or real opportunities for the future?
New genetic engineering: just promise or real opportunities for the future?
The current "New GMOS Market Report", published by the European Non-GMO Industry Association (Enga) and the US Non-GMO Project, highlights the current developments in the new genetic engineering market (NGT). According to the report, there are currently only three NGT plants on the world worldwide: two in the USA and one in Japan. It is particularly striking that the first two NGT plants that achieved market maturity were removed from the market due to failures. This suggests that the introduction of these technologies did not bring the hoped -for success.
of a total of 49 NGT plants in development, only two potentially could contribute to achieving sustainability goals. The Enga General Secretary Heike Moldenhauer emphasizes that NGT plants have so far promised more than actual market emphasis. Interestingly, two of the corn plants mentioned in the USA are varieties that have resistant properties against insects and herbicides, while in Japan a tomato with an increased GABA content is produced that is supposed to reduce blood pressure.
parliamentary regulations and sustainability
Current political events swung on the legal framework for NGT plants: Parliament has decided with 307 to 263 votes and 41 abstentions to enact new rules that are intended to regulate these technologies. The aim of these regulations is to make the food system more sustainable and crisis -resistant. The new NGT plants are intended to provide improved varieties that are resistant to climatic challenges and at the same time enable higher yields with lower use of fertilizers and pesticides.
The proposal includes the introduction of two categories for NGT plants. Category 1 includes plants that are considered equivalent with conventional plants and are to be excluded from the previous GMO requirements. Category 2 is subject to stricter regulations, although a labeling obligation remains. In addition, a report on the effects of patents to access to plant rangers should be presented by June 2025.
Food safety and risk assessment
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) plays a crucial role in the assessment of the risks of genetically modified organisms (GMO). These institutes are responsible for the security assessment of new GVO products and are based on strict criteria of the EU legal framework to ensure consumer protection. Previous reviews mainly focused on established gene plants such as corn and soybeans. But new NGT techniques and their security risks are now on the evaluation list.
Various aspects such as toxicological and environmental effects are considered in the risk assessment. After admission by the Commission, a ten-year license for sales in the EU market is granted, followed by a re-evaluation of security by EFSA. In view of the current challenges in the development and distribution of NGT plants, industry representatives require a transparent labeling of these products. Florian Faber from the ARGE GMO-FREE emphasizes the need for this transparency to gain consumers' trust. The Enga and Non-GMO Project report therefore serves as a source of information for food companies that want to think about the integration of NGT plants in their products. In summary, it can be stated that although a certain potential is considered in new genomic techniques, reality looks different. Both the regulatory framework and real market successes are still in the stars, while the pressure on more sustainability and transparency in the food sector increases.| Details | |
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| Ort | Österreich, Land |
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