Soil bacteria were genetically engineered to continuously produce nitrogen compounds (Wen et al., 2021). After release into the fields, the genetically engineered bacteria are meant colonise the
roots of plants and ideally stimulate root and plant growth. These bacteria are completely new-to-nature. Although they have been approved in the US, it is unclear to which extent environmental risks have been tested.

Frequent cell division is constantly changing the genetic material in bacteria. They can also exchange genes within and across species, possibly resulting in uncontrolled spread and instability in the genetic changes (Miklau et al., 2024; Eckerstorfer et al., 2025). Potentially, the genetically engineered bacteria may also spread beyond the fields and colonise other plant species, including weeds.

The European Commission presented a draft for the fast-track approval of genetically engineered bacteria, but it is very vague. It is not clear whether the above described NGT bacteria would require mandatory risk assessment also in future.

Publication date / last update

February 2026

Further information:

Eckerstorfer et al. (2025) Environmental Applications of GM Microorganisms: Tiny
Critters Posing Huge Challenges for Risk Assessment and Governance. Int J Mol Sci
26, 3174.

Martinez-Feria et al. (2024) Genetic remodeling of soil diazotrophs enables partial
replacement of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer with biological nitrogen fixation in maize.
Sci Rep 14, 27754.

Miklau et al. (2024) Horizon scanning of potential environmental applications of
terrestrial animals, fish, algae and microorganisms produced by genetic modification,
including the use of new genomic techniques. Front Genome Ed, 6: 1376927.