The big picture: using wildflower strips for pest control
They may be beautiful, but these strips prove pretty deadly for every farmer's mortal enemy: aphids
News
Rothamsted Submits Evidence to Defra Gene Editing Consultation
Current regulation “makes no scientific sense”
Rothamsted Research today submitted its responses to the government’s consultation questions on the regulation of gene editing (GE) technologies. The submission argues that the current situation, whereby gene edited organisms are regulated in the same way as transgenic GMOs, makes no scientific sense since the genetic changes in question could have been produced by traditional breeding methods.
Professor Angela Karp, Director of Rothamsted Research said, “For plant breeding, there is no scientific justification for considering the introduction of targeted mutations in a crop by GE to be more risky than either mutations that occur naturally or random mutations induced using chemical or radiation mutagenesis. Moreover, the potential to improve to the safety and nutritional value of food crops through miniscule genomic changes introduced by GE, greatly outweighs any hypothetical risk of using the technology.”
The submission cites the example of a new gene edited wheat strain recently developed at Rothamsted which has lowered levels of asparagine but is otherwise indistinguishable from unaltered plants. When wheat products are cooked, asparagine can be converted to acrylamide, a potential carcinogen. The new strain will enhance food safety for consumers.
The document also includes details of how gene editing can be used to improve the nutritional value of crops and promote disease resistance , potentially leading to reduced pesticide use.
Professor Karp added that the team were not arguing that there should be no regulation of new genetic technologies.
“It is entirely appropriate that formal regulations are drawn up to cover the development of new technologies. These should ensure consumer safety and encourage public confidence that all the necessary precautions are being taken. However, it is important that such regulations are grounded in the science and that their management after adoption is also science-lead and enabling,” she said.
ABOUT ROTHAMSTED RESEARCH
Rothamsted Research is the longest-running agricultural research institute in the world. We work from gene to field with a proud history of ground-breaking
discoveries in areas as diverse as crop management, statistical interpretation and soil health. Our founders, in 1843, were the pioneers of modern
agriculture, and we are known for our imaginative science and our collaborative approach to developing innovative farm practice.
Through independent research, we make significant contributions to improving agri-food systems in the UK and internationally, with
economic impact estimated to exceed £3 bn in annual contribution to the UK economy. Our strength lies in our systems approach, which combines strategic research,
interdisciplinary teams and multiple partnerships.
Rothamsted is home to three unique National Bioscience Research Infrastructures which are open to researchers from all over the world:
The Long-Term Experiments,
Rothamsted Insect Survey and the
North Wyke Farm Platform.
We are strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), with additional support from other national and
international funding streams, and from industry. We are also supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust (LAT).
ABOUT BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council is part of UK Research and Innovation, a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid
from the UK government.
BBSRC invests to push back the frontiers of biology and deliver a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future. Through our investments, we build and support a vibrant,
dynamic and inclusive community which delivers ground-breaking discoveries and develops bio-based solutions that contribute to tackling global challenges,
such as sustainable food production, climate change, and healthy ageing.
As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we not only play a pivotal role in fostering connections that enable the UK’s world-class research and innovation system
to flourish – we also have a responsibility to enable the creation of a research culture that is diverse, resilient, and engaged.
BBSRC proudly forges interdisciplinary collaborations where excellent bioscience has a fundamental role. We pioneer approaches that enhance the equality, diversity,
and inclusion of talent by investing in people, infrastructure, technologies, and partnerships on a global scale.
ABOUT LAT
The Lawes Agricultural Trust, established in 1889 by Sir John Bennet Lawes, supports Rothamsted Research’s national and international agricultural science through the provision of land, facilities and funding. LAT, a charitable trust, owns the estates at Harpenden and Broom's Barn, including many of the buildings used by Rothamsted Research. LAT provides an annual research grant to the Director, accommodation for nearly 200 people, and support for fellowships for young scientists from developing countries. LAT also makes capital grants to help modernise facilities at Rothamsted, or invests in new buildings.