Review Paper Outlines Vital Role of Regulation in Plant Gene Editing

A focused review on the regulation of plant gene editing, conducted by researchers Dr. Emily Buddle, Michail Ivanov, and Professor Rachel Ankeny of The University of Adelaide's School of Humanities, emphasizes the importance of clear regulations to ensure that new technologies are used safely and responsibly.

The review, published in The Plant Journal, outlines the vital role of regulation in the innovation process by encouraging public involvement and building trust in emerging gene technologies. In a news article released by The University of Adelaide, Dr. Buddle explains that regulatory decisions are not just about scientific facts or economic benefits, but also involve value judgments, especially concerning safety, risk, and societal benefits. She added that plant scientists need to engage with diverse groups of people early and often throughout the innovation process to understand their concerns about new technologies.

Ivanov says their review challenges some common criticisms in crop sciences. “In our research experience, we often hear scientists working in agricultural genomics talk about regulation as problematic, emphasising that regulation is a ‘bottleneck' or a ‘hurdle' that limits research and innovation in crop sciences,” Ivanov says. However, he points out that calling regulation a ‘bottleneck' depends on one's perspective and goals. He adds that instead of being a bottleneck, regulation can be seen as a filter, as it helps remove elements of science and innovation that could cause problems to society or the environment.

In Australia, genetically modified and gene-edited crops are regulated by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR). Under the Gene Technology Act 2000 (Commonwealth), gene-edited crops were originally treated the same as genetically modified organisms. However, amendments made in 2019 mean that organisms modified using SDN-1 techniques are generally not regulated under the Act, as these changes are considered similar to those that could occur naturally or through traditional breeding.

For more details, read the article in The University of Adelaide Newsroom.