testbiotech

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Testbiotech warns about the far-reaching deregulation of New GE plants

Comprehensive analysis of the legislative proposal made by the EU Commission

31 August 2023 / Testbiotech has today published a comprehensive analysis of the EU Commission proposal for the future deregulation of plants obtained from new genetic engineering (New GE or NGT). This is part of an EU-wide consultation. Currently, all organisms derived from genetic engineering processes must undergo risk assessment before they can be released, cultivated or consumed as food. The Commission now wants to abandon this basic principle of EU legislation. Testbiotech, however, is warning against such far-reaching deregulation.

Risks of new genetic engineering: The testing methods are decisive

Research shows problems with proving unintended genetic changes

13 August 2023 / A new US study has reviewed findings on human and animal cells, and shows that CRISPR/Cas gene scissors frequently cause unintended genetic changes. The scientists emphasise that these changes often remain undiscovered with commonly used methods of detection, as these very often only examine either short or just selected gene segments, and are thus insufficient in many cases.

Testbiotech: First recommendations in regard to the EU Commission NGT proposal

New regulation of genetically engineered plants should be completely revised or rejected

18 July 2023 / Testbiotech is today publishing a backgrounder on the first analysis of the EU Commission proposal for the future EU regulation of plants obtained from NGTs (new genomic techniques, or new genetic engineering, New GE). The aim is to identify some of the fundamental elements that need be taken into account in further discussions on the proposal, in particular with regard to risk assessment. Testbiotech recommends that the EU Commission proposal is rejected unless they undergo major revision and amendments. For this purpose, Testbiotech is making first suggestions.

EU Commission wants to exempt many New GE plants from risk assessment

Proposed deregulation goes against science

5 July 2023 / The EU Commission today published a proposal for the deregulation of plants derived from of New GE (new genetic engineering or new genomic techniques, NGTs). For this purpose, the Commission has attempted to establish a new ‘Category 1’ of plants derived from New GE processes which would be exempt from current GMO regulation. New GE plants in this new category would be seen as safe as those derived from conventional breeding. The plants would not be subjected to mandatory risk assessment, they would only require notification.