The US company Corteva Agrisciences (previously DowDuPont/Pioneer) is using the CRISPR/Cas gene scissors to produce more transgenic plants that are resistant to herbicides and toxic for insects. After the EU granted import authorisation for a CRISPR maize with these traits in July (DP915635), a further very similar plant is now pending approval: the maize (DP910521) exhibits resistance to the herbicide glufosinate, and produces a novel insecticide (Cry1B.34). The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has already given a positive opinion.
The only difference to previously developed transgenic plants is that the genetic constructs are inserted at a predetermined site and not randomly. The first step of this process involves inserting a so-called ‘landing pad’, which then serves as the target region where the new genetic traits are inserted. This technique can accelerate the production of transgenic plants.
The above-described transgenic maize plants are so far the only CRISPR plants with market application in the EU. Hopes that new genetic engineering (NGT) would primarily be used to produce plants for more sustainable agriculture have not yet materialised. Instead, Corteva appears to be working on a new edition of old genetic engineering. The company is also the world leader in filing patent applications for NGT plants.
To the opinion of Testbiotech, the risk assessment of the transgenic maize is incomplete. For example, there is a lack of data on the effects of the new insecticide, and its safety for humans and the environment. If the maize grains escape into the environment, it is quite possible that they will spread. Again, it seems likely that this will bring a further increase in the use of pesticides in countries where the plants are cultivated.
Contact:
Christoph Then, info@testbiotech.org, Tel + 49 151 54638040
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