Government sends gene-edited food bill to Parliament

The government introduces a bill to Parliament on Wednesday paving the way for genetically edited plants and animals to be grown and raised for food in England.

The proposed new legislation would relax regulations for gene-edited, not genetically modified (GM) products and would at first apply only to plants.

The technology is currently not used because of rules set by the European Union. But Brexit has given the UK the ability to set its own rules.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61563299

"[Genetic modification], which is associated with big-name companies like Monsanto, Dupont, and Syngenta, involves inserting genes from other organisms (usually bacteria) into the crop's genome. In contrast, gene editing deals solely with altering the genes that already exist within the crop. This process more closely mimics nature in that a random mutation could technically have caused the same result.

"Although many see gene editing technology as a major improvement, others are already fearing a repeat of the controversies that exist within the G.M.O. movement. As of right now, gene editing is not included in current regulations, and the FDA has yet to explain if, when, and how the regulations will be adjusted."

http://www.earthdayinitiative.org/gotham-grazer-blog/2017/1/12/gene-editing-vs-genetic-modification#:~:text=The%20latter%2C%20which%20is%20associated,already%20exist%20within%20the%20crop.