In 2025, it was demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to use a publicly available AI tool (ChatGPT 4o) to design a genetic blueprint for an insecticidal maize plant that could subsequently
be produced with NGTs (Juhas et al., 2025). Although the number of genetic changes required is low (less than 20), it is very unlikely that the resulting specific combination of genetic changes could be achieved through conventional breeding methods.

Insecticidal plants may not only be toxic to the targeted pest species, they can also put non-target organisms, food webs, ecosystem functions and biodiversity at risk (Juhas et al., 2025).

According to the recent EU proposal for future regulation, NGT-plants that produce known insecticides (or are made resistant to herbicides) must undergo environmental risk assessment. This is a sensible provision, but on its own is clearly insufficient with respect to the numerous environmental risks associated with many other NGT plants.

Publication date / last update

February 2026

Further information:

Juhas et al. (2025) Combining AI and new genomic techniques to ‘fine-tune’plants:
challenges in risk assessment. Front Plant Sci, 16: 1677066.