Should We Welcome the UK’s Upcoming Legislation on Genetically Edited Crops?”:

 by Ben Davis

Recently, there has been a buzz surrounding the UK’s proposed relaxation of regulations on genetically edited (GE) crops in the news. As part of the EU, the UK previously had to abide by some of the strictest laws in the world on genetically modified crops. Yet now, given Brexit, we have much greater freedoms on what we can do. However, is this right?, or should we stick with EU regulations for the time being?

The EU has no registered genetically modified (GM) crops. This is not due to a lack of interest. In fact, there are hundreds of European corporations that would love to start selling modified crops. Instead, the issue stands with the complexity of EU regulations regarding said crops and the can’t-be-bothered attitude of businesses. To sell a genetically modified crop in Europe, there must first be several years of field trials, in which the crop is scrutinised from all angles to check for safety. Then, member states must vote to approve the new variety for public consumption. The whole process can take upwards of five years, requiring mountains of money and resources. Economically, any financial gain that businesses may make from selling their GM crops will surely be dented by the money required for certification. Thus, as of yet, no GM crops are publicly available.

Looking again at the UK, the government is looking to change legislation such that the regulations for GE and GM crops are separate. Currently, any crop modification must fall under GM regulations, the strictest of them all. The legislation, passed later this year, will allow scientists to openly conduct field tests on new gene-edited crops (produced via traditional cross-breeding). Previously, applications for testing would need to be approved before they could commence, costing thousands of pounds. Additionally, another, designed to allow GE crops to be regulated the same way as typical new commercial crops, will be brought forward after this legislation is passed. Then, UK businesses will much more easily be able to test and certify crops for public use. 

Is this right? 

On the one hand, genetically edited crops are the way forward, given the state of our changing climate. Traditional crops may become poorly suited to growing in the changing conditions of the UK. With the UK set to receive warmer temperatures in the coming decades, traditional crops may cultivate reduced yields. Thus, genetically editing crops such that they are more resistant to variable temperatures will prove beneficial to both the UK people and the economy. More generally, the benefits of genetically edited crops will prove useful to the UK. Being able to filter out genes that can cause disease/ small fruits will be of commercial and economic gain. Without the complex, ethically charged nature of genetically modified crops playing a role, genetic editing may simply be an effective and beneficial new branch of agricultural science to explore in the coming decades.

On the contrary, genetic editing doesn’t come without its issues. The process is considered controversial by many, posing a threat to us and the planet. Do we know exactly what each gene does inside a plant? If not, how can we ensure that removing said gene (even though it seems beneficial) will not have negative consequences? Furthermore, might gene editing and the introduction of new monocultures of GE crops threaten their disease resistance? Indeed, with our changing 21st-century climate, we should be promoting disease resistance/tolerance in our crops, not threatening it. 

The impacts of the UK’s changing approach to GE crops remain to be seen. Whilst there are numerous benefits to this new branch of agricultural science, there are threats to be noted, including how genetic editing will affect the safety and reliability of the crops we rely on most. 

Sources:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58711230 

https://www.ft.com/content/ac0fc798-0058-4e91-af77-239fbfc274eb