Options for regulating new genomic techniques for plants in the European Union

• Published in: Nature plants Vol. 9; no. 12; pp. 1958 - 1961
• Main Authors: Purnhagen, Kai, Ambrogio, Yasmine, Bartsch, Detlef, Eriksson, Dennis, Jorasch, Petra, Kahrmann, Jens, Kardung, Maximilian, Molitorisová, Alexandra, Monaco, Alessandro, Nanda, Amrit K., Romeis, Jörg, Rostoks, Nils, Unkel, Katharina, Schneider, Xenia T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.12.2023; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 706/1143; 706/648/453; 706/689/280; 706/689/680; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Climate action; Climate change; Decision making; Genetically altered foods; Genetically modified organisms; Genetics and Breeding; Genetik och förädling; Genomics; Hypotheses; Innovations; International trade; Labeling; Legislation; Life Sciences; Market entry; Mutagenesis; Perspective; Plant Sciences; Product development; R&D; Research & development; Risk assessment; Social Sciences Interdisciplinary; Sustainability; Tvärvetenskapliga studier
• ISSN: 2055-0278; 2055-026X; 2055-0278
• DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01570-2

Which option for regulating plants derived from new genomic techniques in European Union law is feasible and justifiable scientifically? The European Commission has proposed a new regulation on plants obtained by specific new genomic techniques, which is now subject to discussion in the legislative process. From the perspective of the European Commission’s envisaged legal reforms of European Union law towards the integration of greater sustainability, we conclude that the option focusing on plant traits delivering sustainability benefits should be chosen, which is most fitting to facilitate a contribution to climate action, the transition towards climate neutrality, and promptly integrate sustainability into all food-related policies. To assist the decision-making in the legislative process, we outline six regulatory options resulting from regulatory research involving interdisciplinary teams. This Perspective discusses six regulatory options following the proposition of the European Commission to amend European Union’s legislation for plants obtained with new genomic techniques.