According to a proposal of European Commission, a significant reduction in existing safety standards for genetically engineered microorganisms is planned to accelerate releases and market approvals. In a comprehensive case study, Testbiotech demonstrates that this proposal is not acceptable from the perspective of health and environmental protection.
The case study focuses on widely distributed bacteria considered highly beneficial, which are already used in their natural form for soil improvement, promoting plant growth, combating plant diseases and supporting gut health in animals (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and B. velezensis).
Recent studies show that new genetic engineering (or new genomic techniques, NGTs) can be used to change the characteristics of microbes in a way that cannot be achieved with previously used methods. This does not require the insertion of additional genes. Instead, it involves altering of the activity of the bacteria own genes, or removing genes from the bacterial genome.
The European Commission is currently planning to allow the release of NGT bacteria, even if there are significant gaps in the risk assessment data. The reason: in their natural form, the bacteria are included on a list of microorganisms considered safe. Included are more than 120 species of bacteria, yeast and algae and also viruses. If no additional ‘genes of concern’ are introduced, this list would be applicable, even in respect to releases of genetically engineered microbes. The general assumption in this case is that the risk is low, and thus less studies are required for the assessment of risk for health and the environment.
However, there is no justification for such assumptions. Existing studies show, for example, that NGT bacteria can become significantly more invasive, even if no additional genes have been introduced. Overall, the Testbiotech report shows a high level of precaution must be maintained in regard to the release of genetically engineered soil microorganisms and, if major uncertainties become apparent, they can not be approved. Damage to natural populations can trigger chain reactions with severe consequences. Furthermore, disruptions to the extremely valuable ecosystem services provided by soil bacteria can result in significant costs for agriculture and food production.
Testbiotech proposes that soil bacteria should be viewed as key organisms in ecosystems. For this reason, they should enjoy a protection status similar, for instance, to that of pollinators. Similar protection standards should also apply to microorganisms that are part of the microbiome in the intestines of humans and animals. Therefore, it is a matter of urgency that the proposal put forward by the Commission to lower the protection and safety standards in regard to the release of genetically engineered microbes is rejected.
Contact:
Christoph Then, Tel + 49 (0)151 54638040, info@testbiotech.org
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