Feel the difference
When GMO is not GMO
Sergey Syrov, XX2 century
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that the agency has no plans to regulate the use of genetically modified plants. This may seem strange, because in the United States, the turnover of GMOs is regulated and controlled, not only by the USDA, but also by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). But, as follows from the published document, an edited genome and genetic modification are not the same thing.
GMOs – it seems that this is an understandable reduction, and everything behind it, according to a significant part of society, needs to be strictly controlled. But USDA specialists clarified the definitions and drew a clear line: if a plant (or something else) changes with the addition of genetic material of some unrelated organism, it should and will be regulated. If no other plant is involved in the process or related plants are involved, you can modify the genome of your object as much as you want and without any control.
This means that many plants whose genome has been edited using CRISPR-Cas processes will not be controlled. This process allows scientists to both cut out certain parts of the genome and insert fragments taken from a related plant. The USDA in its document notes that such modifications can theoretically be achieved by simple crossing, and thus are completely legal.
The position of the Ministry of Agriculture was met with both approval and criticism. Representatives of some environmental organizations believe that the spread of genetically modified plants can be dangerous for existing ecosystems and therefore all such plants should be controlled equally strictly.
The consequences of the USDA's decision may be noticeable. Now all genetic modifications in the United States must be approved by several ministries at once – this makes them very expensive. As a result, work is carried out only with high-yield crops, mainly wheat, corn, soybeans and rice. Changes in legislation will open the way to the market for small companies that previously could not afford to go through the entire expensive path of testing and approvals.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru