The Technology of Genetics Draft legislation to address the most urgent environmental issues of today.
Today, Parliament will consider legislation that would allow the country to become the best place in the world to invest in agri-food research and innovation by unlocking new technology to increase food production and providing assistance to farmers so they can grow more productive crops.
The genetic technology Bill will have its third reading today (Monday, October 31), and its introduction in the House of Lords is likely the following day.
With the implementation of a more rational and science-based regulatory system for precision-bred plants and animals, opportunities will arise to create crops that are more resistant to disease and the effects of climate change, such as drought and flooding, while also reducing the need for pesticides.
Farming Minister Mark Spencer said:
- Already, we can see how advances in genetic engineering can boost harvests, improve dietary quality, and produce hardier crops that can withstand a wider range of climate conditions.
- This Bill will position Britain as a global leader in agri-research and innovation, building on Britain’s already strong position in precision breeding and paving the way for even more investment and the continuation of our efforts to equip farmers with the means to adopt and implement cutting-edge technologies.
Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Whether the genetic modifications originated spontaneously or through traditional breeding methods, the bill covers precision-bred plants and animals created through procedures like gene editing. Contrast this with the results of genetic modification (GM), which result in species with novel gene combinations.
The government sees the necessity to protect animal welfare under the new regulatory framework, but they also see the possibility for increased innovation. That’s why we’re doing things slow and steady, using precision breeding technology for plants first and then moving on to animals.
Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser Gideon Henderson said:
- We are living in a pivotal era for agricultural research. New crop types that are more pest-resistant, healthier to eat, and tolerant to drought and heat as climate changes are possible because of gene editing’s capacity to make precise, targeted alterations to the genetic code of organisms in a way that can mirror traditional breeding.
- Traditional breeders have used genetic knowledge for ages to create improved plant kinds. Precision breeding, which makes use of gene editing, is able to produce the same kinds of genetic modifications in a much more efficient and exact manner, drastically shortening the time required to create new types. In the face of biodiversity loss and climate change, and with the world’s population continually rising, precision breeding has emerged as a potent and crucial tool.
Professor Nigel Halford, the Crop Scientist at Rothamsted Research, said:
- The passage of this genetic technology Bill through the House of Lords is quite promising, as it will allow this cutting-edge technology to be put to use in crop enhancement as well as in research.
- Given our lagging position in the global adoption of precision breeding techniques, we are eager for the Bill to be signed into law as quickly as possible.
The Bill will:
- Isolate precision-bred plants and animals from GMO marketing and release regulations (Genetically Modified Organisms).
- It is recommended to implement two separate notification systems, one for research reasons involving precision-bred organisms, and another for commercial uses. All of this data will be uploaded to a public database on GOV.UK.
- To protect animal welfare, a reasonable regulatory framework should be put in place for precision-bred animals. Once this system is in place, we will not be implementing any new animal restrictions.
- Create a fresh method of scientific approval for consumables and nutrient sources made from precision-bred plants and animals.
Opportunities brought by the new legislation:
Climate resilient wheat:
- The world’s 2.5 billion people rely on wheat as a primary source of nutrition, so it’s crucial that scientists work to develop wheat that can withstand the effects of climate change.
- Using gene editing techniques, scientists at Norwich’s John Innes Centre have pinpointed a crucial gene in wheat that may be manipulated to bring features like heat resistance without sacrificing yield.
- This finding opens up a new and promising avenue for tracking down gene variants that confer climate change resistance on wheat types.
Non-browning banana:
- Bananas are a staple crop around the world, yet many go to waste since so few people actually eat them. Another 10%-15% are lost after harvest due to fruit bruising.
- British agricultural biotechnology pioneer Tropic has used precision breeding to create a banana that retains its color even when exposed to light.
- Bananas have a short shelf life, so this innovation could help decrease waste, lower our carbon footprint, and increase income for farmers.
Disease resistant chickens
- Some forms of avian flu can eradicate an entire flock, making this disease a serious danger to chicken farms around the world. The virus can cause severe sickness in humans when it infects a susceptible host, and this is especially true with virus types.
- The Imperial College London, Pirbright Institute, and Roslin Institute conducted a study to see if they could use gene editing to create disease-resistant hens. Because of the genetic alteration, the virus could no longer replicate inside cells.
- Controlling the disease’s spread is urgently needed to safeguard chickens and to decrease the risk to human health, and gene editing may be able to help.
