Gene-edited fruits and vegetables could be hitting supermarket shelves within the next year after the House of Lords approved a motion on May 6 to allow precision bred and gene edited fruits and vegetables in the UK.
MPs are now also pressing the government to pass legislation to allow gene-edited meat, which could curb the risk of bird flu.
A Defra spokesperson said: “We know the devastating impact bird flu has had on farmers and poultry producers, but the risk to human health from the avian influenza virus remains very low.
“Scrupulous biosecurity remains best practice for protecting the health and welfare of flocks why is why we have introduced prevention zones across the UK, with additional mandatory housing for kept birds in the most affected areas.
“We continue to carefully consider the regulatory framework for animals outlined in the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.”
But what are gene-edited foods and what could it mean for your dinners?
What are gene-edited foods?
Gene-edited foods are foods that are strategically cross bred to develop new and more desirable varieties.
For many years, farmers have cross-bred vegetables, but creating the perfect produce was largely down to trial and error.
Now, the genetic methods used are able to identify the most desirable genes which can then be used to create the most desirable crops.
It is likely that gene-edited meat will also be introduced in coming years, but this would require separate legislation. In Scotland, farmers have developed gene-edited pigs that have become resistant to lung disease. However, there is also animal welfare guidelines to consider when developing gene-edited animals.
Is it different to genetic modification?
Genetic modification (GM), which has been around for around two decades, is not the same as gene-editing.
Not permitted in the EU, GM adds genes to a plant’s DNA from a different organism’s DNA. The resulting crop is a completely new variety which could not have been created through cross-breeding.
On the flip side, gene-editing targets specific genes. It lets breeders remove a small section of the plant’s DNA. The important thing to remember with gene-editing is that it could have happened naturally through cross-breeding over time.
What are the benefits of gene-editing?
It has been claimed that gene-editing will mean that fresh fruits and vegetables will last longer, lowering food waste and lowering environmental impact. The longer best-before dates will also mean consumers can benefit from healthier choices of food for longer.
In a report to the Independent, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner said: “Precision breeding is a real chance to transform how we grow crops here in England.”
“We turbo charge the natural breeding process our farmers have used for generations to create food that’s more nutritious, crops that can withstands our changing climate, and plants that naturally resist disease. This is essential for our farmers to thrive and for our nation’s food security. That’s exactly why this legislation matters.”
Norwich-based biotech firm Tropic has developed a non-browning banana which could help reduce food waste. Virus-resistant sugar beets could also eliminate yield losses that currently set the sector back around £67 million.
Gilad Gershon, chief executive at Tropic, explained that bananas are asexual and have hardly changed in the last seven decades. Gene-editing will allow breeders to adjust the banana to challenges today, such as food waste.
What foods will be gene-edited?
Some examples of the produce created thus far include tomatoes with high levels of vitamin D and sugar beet that is less reliant on pesticides.
Japanese supermarkets are already stocking tomatoes rich in GABA, a calming chemical, and sea bream that is optimised for sushi. In the US, a company called Pairwise developed seedless blackberries.
Whilst gene-editing will be used predominantly to develop new and hardier crop varieties, it will also be used to tailor crops for their primary use cases. For example, juicier tomatoes for ketchup production.
Are gene-edited foods safe? Are there any disadvantages?
Gene-edited food is safe to eat and has gone through rigorous testing to be sure of this.
Some people have argued that gene-edited foods will not be tested properly or may encourage the creation of new allergens or toxins. Others have said gene-edited crops could negatively impact the environment.
However, as is the case with genetically modified crops, gene-edited crops are not expected to damage ecosystems or give rise to new allergens, according to scientists.
There is also no requirement to label gene-edited crops as they are seen as being indistinguishable from naturally produced varieties.
Food scarcity, food waste, and obesity are all issues affecting Britons today. Gene-edited produce could provide a nifty solution.
