Gene-Editing Can Insert Unwanted DNA

Researchers have discovered that standard methods of animal and plant gene-editing can introduce DNA from unexpected sources. […]

Genome-Edited Hornless Cattle Found to Have Unintended Antibiotic Resistance Genes

New research published by US Food and Drug Administration scientists has discovered foreign DNA inadvertently introduced into the genomes of genome-edited animals, dealing a significant blow to the biotech industry’s claims that no regulation of such organisms is necessary. […]

Claims of Safety and Sustainability of SynBio “Impossible Burger” Questioned

Products of synthetic biology, such as the “Impossible Burger”, may have health, environmental and socioeconomic impacts that need to be fully assessed for safety and sustainability. […]

Gene-editing Fails to Confer Virus Resistance but Develops Mutated Viruses in Cassava

An attempt to create virus-resistant cassava using gene editing not only failed to achieve such resistance but resulted in the propagation of mutated CRISPR-resistant viruses under controlled laboratory conditions. […]

New Book: Gene Drives – Legal and Regulatory Issues

New TWN book on the legal and regulatory aspects relating to gene drive organisms (GDOs). […]

New GM Plants Must be Subject to Case-specific Premarket Risk Assessment

The products of new GMO techniques, including genome editing, cannot be assumed to be safe but must be subjected to a pre-market risk assessment tailored to the specific GMO in question. […]

Treat Gene Drives with the Utmost Precaution, say Independent Scientists

This report published by three independent scientific organisations concludes that gene drives should be treated with the utmost precaution. […]

International Scientists Urge Precaution with Gene Drives: New Study

Gene drives should be treated with the utmost precaution, international scientists conclude in a new and comprehensive study. Until effective, legally binding international regulation is in place, as well as genuine public engagement, no gene drive organisms should be released, the study recommends. […]

Briefing Paper: Gene Drive Organisms: What Africa Should Know About Actors, Motives and Threats to Biodiversity and Food Systems

This paper explains the serious risks and complexities that gene drive organisms pose to human health, the environment and society, particularly in the African context. […]

Genome Edited Plants Need Stringent Regulation

There are significant differences in methods of production, traits and risks of genome edited plants in comparison to those derived from conventional breeding, necessitating strict regulation of the former. […]