Editor’s Note: This article discusses patent attorneys Brian Reese and Nishat Shaikh recent piece published in the genetic engineering and biotechnology magazine, GEN, and their opinions on how new genetic modification technology should be regulated.
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“It is interesting that these two generations are regulated differently,” Reese said.
The regulation of first generation transgenic genetically modified crops by the USDA is covered by the Plant Protection Act (PPA), which gives the agency authority to regulate plant pests or noxious weeds, including GM organisms.
However, the agency has signaled that genetically engineered crops that do not contain “foreign” DNA are not considered to be GM crops, and thus do not require regulation.
But there are concerns about CRISPR, that it may lead, at some point, to a dangerous narrowing of biodiversity and the potential of an attack by a super insect immune to a plant’s defenses, Reese and Shaikh said.
Related on the SLP
Further, there is still the public wariness of genetically modified foods, and a negative public perception of the business practices of large agribusiness companies … To essentially have little regulation of the new technology is not a good approach from a public policy point of view, Reese and Shaikh said.
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They should be regulated the same, with all issues on the table, and decide on a plan, and what degree of modification is allowed, Shaikh said.
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The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: Thorny policy issues follow advances in genetic modification technology
