Several of the very first gene-edited tomato plants (that boost the uptake of vitamin D by the human body) to be distributed in the United Kingdom will be none other than tomato paste.
Scientists at the John Innes Centre in Norwich have created a new strain of wheat that can grow in very salty soil. The researchers turned off a specific molecule in the plants’ genetic code, making them more tolerant to salt. A bill is to be introduced on Wednesday to allow commercial growing of gene-edited crops in England. The technique is currently not used for food production in the UK because of rules set by the EU but Brexit has enabled the UK to set its own rules.
A study published in Nature Plants found that one out of every six people in the United Kingdom is deficient in vitamin D, which is vital to strong bones and muscles and helps reduce risk of cancer. According to Prof. Cathie Martin, who led the research at the John Innes Centre, “the development could be hugely beneficial.” “With humans,” she said, “half an hour in the sunshine every day is enough to make enough vitamin D. But a lot of people don’t have that time outside and that’s why they need supplements. The tomatoes themselves could provide another source of vitamin D in their diet.”
If government legislation gets through Parliament successfully, fruits containing vitamins produced by gene editing could be among the first genetically modified crops allowed on supermarket shelves in England.
Gene editing is a relatively recent technology that involves snipping out a small section of plant DNA to switch genes on or off. Gene editing differs from genetic modification, which involves the insertion of genes from a completely different species into a plant’s genome.
European Union restrictions
For the past 25 years, European Union restrictions have effectively banned both methods in Europe.
The United States and China have approved the use of genetically modified crops, which are engineered to be resistant to pests, drought and other environmental problems. Both methods are used in other countries, but the European Union set stringent regulations on GM crops 25 years ago because of safety concerns and public opposition to the technology. Gene-edited crops are covered by the same regulations.
The United Kingdom currently follows European Union regulations on both technologies.
To be approved for use in Europe, a genetically modified crop must undergo a scientific safety assessment, which can take around five years. Plant breeders believe that is too onerous and expensive, so they do not invest in the technology here. In addition, any new variety that passes the EU’s safety tests must then be approved by a majority at the European Parliament.
Strong political opposition
Plant breeders believe that political opposition is too strong for the approval of new genetically modified or genetically engineered varieties. The regulations, say the plant industry, effectively prevent commercial production of genetically engineered foods in Europe.
The UK government has decided that gene editing is safe to use and plans to introduce a bill on Wednesday allowing its commercial development in England. The government does not plan to relax regulations on genetically modified crops at this stage.
Environment Secretary George Eustice told BBC News that the new law was necessary to combat the impact of climate change.
The reality is that we will need drought-resistant plants. Also, as we try to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, we need to breed in natural resistance to diseases into plants. Precision breeding technology can change traits in a plant faster than conventional breeding methods and it is not the same as genetic modification.
Nigel Moore, of KWS, a plant-breeding firm in Hertfordshire which produces wheat and barley, has welcomed the development.
“It generally takes us 12 years to develop new varieties in England. With gene-editing, we can respond to changing farmers’ needs much faster.”
KWS has been developing new varieties of wheat and barley for farmers for 150 years using traditional cross-breeding techniques. Gene editing allows the firm to develop new varieties that meet farmers’ needs much faster than before, according to Mr Moore.
Genetic engineer Pamela Ronald said, “If we think about the pace of change: climate change, the need to reduce nitrogen fertilizer, need to use less pesticides; the faster we get the genetic changes we need, the faster we are able to adapt to all of that changing world around us”.
Critics of gene-editing technology
Critics of gene-editing technology, such as Liz O’Neill, who is the director of the campaign group GM Freeze, express concerns that the government is being too hasty in lifting restrictions for genetically modified crops.
Mistakes happen. But genetic research is not like playing with Lego. It involves complex techniques, and because it has developed so quickly, it is possible that mistakes will be made.
The process of gene editing requires the insertion of genetic material into an organism’s genes, in order to remove existing genetic material. This process can be described as a deliberate oversimplification that makes people feel more comfortable about it.
Ms O’Neill also wonders whether the relaxation of regulations, which apply only to England, won’t also be adopted by other parts of the UK as they make their own decisions about the use of the technology.
The food chain does not just operate in England. It operates across the United Kingdom. Who is going to keep genetically modified food out of the food in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Customers want to make informed choices, but they cannot do so unless GMOs in the food chain are traceable.
According to Nigel Moore of KWS, new gene-edited crop varieties are analyzed to ensure that there is no new DNA in them before they are approved for use. A number of scientific assessments have also judged gene-editing technology to be safe.
He also believes that English-grown genetically engineered foods will not find their way to other parts of the UK.
Agricultural supply chains are already very competent at delivering brand requirements such as gluten-free and organic foods.
The Scottish Government has been opposed to genetically modified crops for several years. The government argues that it wants to protect the “purity” of Scotland’s food and drinks sector. But this stance is now in direct opposition to NFU Scotland, which says it puts Scottish farmers at a competitive disadvantage.
The Welsh Government has no current plans to revise its GMO regulations and will maintain its precautionary approach to genetic modification.
In 2015, GM crop growing in Northern Ireland was banned at the same time as in Scotland and Wales, but it was said then that this ban would hold for the foreseeable future.