EU limits opportunities in plant breeding

A recent ruling by the European Court of Justice puts a brake on the genetic modification of plants. This involves cutting into the DNA of the plant to provide it with new characteristics. The ruling means that new breeding techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas, now fall under the regulations for genetic modification.

Genetic modification is a modern variant of classical breeding that is much faster, but whose long-term effects on the ecological system are not yet entirely clear. The Dutch branch organization of growers, Plantum, sees the innovative power of European farmers diminished by this ruling. Environmental organizations such as Greenpeace are pleased with the ruling because there is now more attention for the possible risks of these techniques.

Critics warn that the consequences of these new technologies can be the same as those of genetic modification. Alterations to the plant's DNA can have positive effects, such as a potato that can better withstand drought, but a corn variety that is impervious to weed control can also proliferate. It is expected that companies that were working on the now-banned research techniques will seek refuge in the United States, where there is no ban on these techniques.

Source: NOS