CROP BIOTECH UPDATE
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A weekly summary of world developments in agri-biotech for developing countries, produced by the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications SEAsiaCenter (ISAAA)
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September 2, 2026
In This Week’s Issue:
News
Global
• Webinar: Global Impact of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops
New Breeding Technologies
• Gene Editing Cuts Cadmium in Rice Grains Without Yield Penalty
• Panama Issues Resolution to Classify Gene-Edited Organisms as Conventional Crops
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NEWS
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Global
WEBINAR: GLOBAL IMPACT OF COMMERCIALIZED BIOTECH/GM CROPS
Join the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), Inc. and CropLife Asia for a Global Launch Webinar on the Global Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Biotech/GM Crops on September 17, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM (SGT) via Zoom and live streaming on social media platforms. Registration is now open to all interested participants.
With more than 35 years of training and expertise in food and agricultural economics, agricultural economist Graham Brookes from PG Economics Ltd. will unveil the findings of the 1996-2024 assessment, offering insights into the impacts of nearly three decades of biotech/GM crop adoption. The assessment builds on the research previously presented in ISAAA Brief 57, which examined the contributions of biotech crops to food security, sustainability, and climate change solutions from 1996-2020.
The webinar will also provide an interactive platform for scientific exchange and data-driven discussion, bringing together perspectives on the global adoption and acceptance of biotech/GM crops. The discussions will include the following topics:
Register now for free to secure a slot at bit.ly/GlobalGMCrops2026. To stay updated, follow ISAAA on Facebook, X, and Instagram. For inquiries, email meetings@isaaa.org.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and partners have identified a gene that could help develop rice varieties with lower cadmium (Cd) levels while maintaining crop yields. The findings of the study could support efforts to improve food safety in areas where paddy soils are contaminated with Cd, a toxic heavy metal that can enter the food chain through crops.
The researchers found that Cd exposure increased OsGONST3 activity in rice roots and shoots. The gene encodes a protein located in the cell membrane that appears to help Cd enter plant tissues. When OsGONST3 was disrupted using CRISPR-Cas9, mutant rice plants had 22-25% less Cd in their roots, about 13% less in shoots, and 16-21% less in xylem sap compared with normal plants under controlled conditions. In contrast, plants that overexpressed the gene accumulated substantially more Cd in these tissues.
Field trials showed that disrupting OsGONST3 reduced Cd levels in rice grains by about 25-26% without significantly affecting yield. The researchers also observed changes in other genes involved in Cd regulation. The findings identify OsGONST3 as a promising genetic target for breeding low-Cd rice and limiting the entry of Cd into the food supply.
For more information, read the study in the Journal of Hazardous Materials.
Panama's National Biosafety Commission for Genetically Modified Organisms has issued Resolution CNB 008-2026, creating a framework that uses scientific criteria to evaluate gene-edited crops and organisms. Under the new rules, products developed using New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) will be classified as conventional organisms, exempting them from traditional GMO regulations.
Resolution CNB 008-2026 represents a major regulatory milestone in Panama's agricultural policy, positioning the country alongside other Latin American nations that have updated their biosafety frameworks to account for modern gene editing tools. The new resolution establishes formal procedures to evaluate NBTs, such as CRISPR-Cas genome editing. Under the new scientific criteria, an edited organism is classified as conventional if it does not contain a stable insertion of foreign recombinant genetic material that could not be obtained through traditional breeding or natural mutation.
Administrative procedures under the resolution operate through the Prior Consultation Request (ICP) process, which offers two distinct assessment modalities. The first is an optional ICP for Hypothetical or R&D Stage products, allowing applicants at the conceptual or early lab stage to submit informal inquiries to receive non-binding guidance on how their prospective product will likely be treated once developed. The second is a definitive ICP for Environmental Release or Commercialization, requiring developers seeking market distribution to submit complete genetic, phenotypic, and procedural data for a binding determination. The framework follows a principle of continuity, allowing applicants to transition between modalities without re-submitting validated information. Standard ICP evaluations must be completed within 80 business days, though this timeframe can be extended up to 120 business days for highly complex scientific reviews.
The Resolution is available in Panama's Official Gazette No. 30559 D.