New Gene Editing Regulations for English Crops

A recent change in gene editing regulations means scientists can start testing edited crops on British soil

In this year’s Queen’s Speech, delivered by Prince Charles on May 10th, the topic of agriculture was raised:

“My Ministers will encourage agricultural and scientific innovation at home. Legislation will unlock the potential of new technologies to promote sustainable and efficient farming and food production [Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill].”

Prince Charles was referring to a recent amendment in English regulations regarding gene edited crops, a change made possible after Brexit. With the backing of many scientists, the UK government decided this year to separate gene editing and gene modification, allowing crop researchers to conduct field experiments on gene edited crops without submitting a risk assessment.

What does gene editing of crops entail?

Gene editing involves the manipulation of genes within a single organism – wheat plants, for example – speeding up a process that could theoretically be achieved through selective breeding. Genetic modification, on the other hand, involves the introduction of a gene from another organism, making a new species that would be almost impossible to create in nature. By distinguishing between gene editing and gene modification in the new gene editing regulations, British lawmakers are making it easier for experimentation and innovation to be carried out in-country.

Regulations for genetically modified organisms (GMOS) were set by the EU in 2001 through the GMO Directive (Directive 2001/18/EC) and were added to in 2003 (Regulation 1829/2003). While research into new GM crops was not explicitly banned, the gene editing regulations require extremely rigorous testing, tracking, and labelling at all stages from development to marketing. More importantly, the regulations do not distinguish between drastic genetic changes from genetic modification and more subtle changes through gene editing.

An evolution in genetic engineering of crops

Much has changed in genetic engineering in the past 20 years. Changes to crops that used to only be achievable through genetic modification, or the insertion of new genes into a plant’s genome, are now achievable through simpler and cheaper gene editing. This point was brought up in the EU in 2018 and April 2021, and in October 2021 the EU decided to revisit the issue for potential amendment in 2023.

Meanwhile, UK politicians have decided to move more quickly. In March 2022 the House of Lords approved changes to The Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations of 2002, allowing field trials of GE crops that are modified in a way that could have occurred naturally. These “naturally occurring” GE plants are known in the gene editing regulations as “qualifying higher plants” (QHPs). The regulations describe what kind of GE crops could be considered QHPs and offer easier avenues for outdoor research approval for those that qualify.

Notably, these changes are considered a devolved issue, and therefore only apply to England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland can make their own decisions regarding whether to update these gene editing regulations. Charles River conducts agrochemical testing services in Scotland, and operates under Scottish law.

The Bill mentioned in the Queen’s Speech will build on the recently amended regulations to solidify the process for allowing gene edited crop research. The new regulations are part of the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan.

In realistic terms, any crops developed under the lighter regulations won’t be available to consumers for five years or more. Research must still follow the regulations for environmental and human safety, not to mention making sure the GE crops are doing whatever they were designed to do. But from drought resistance to improved nutritional value to even developing a strain of wheat for people with Celiac disease, there are boundless possibilities for new and better food crops.