01/April/21

 

Gene editing causes drastic unwanted effects in gene-edited plants including severe deformities, a new scientific publication in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe shows. This is the case even when the changes are intended by the gene editor to be small tweaks to existing genes rather than, for example, the introduction of new genetic material. More broadly, the study provides an overview of the negative effects on ecosystems that can result from the release of gene-edited plants. GMWatch

 

 

The Greens/EFA Group have released data that finds that the vast majority (86%) of Europeans that have heard of GM crops want food containing genetically modified plants to be labelled as GMOs. Additionally, the study commissioned by the Group finds the majority (68%) of respondents that have heard of new genetic engineering techniques demand that food produced with new techniques, such as CRISPR, to be labelled as GMOs. GMWatch

 

 

A large coalition of 162 civil society, farmers and business organisations, including GMWatch, is calling on Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans to ensure all organisms derived from new genetic engineering techniques continue to be regulated in accordance with existing EU GMO standards – upholding the precautionary principle and safeguarding a high level of protection and the right of farmers and consumers to choose what they plant and eat. GMWatch

 

 

German chemicals group Bayer is preparing to kick off the sale of pest control unit Bayer Environmental Science this summer with a price tag potentially topping 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion), people close to the matter said. The agrichemicals giant is looking to reduce debt in the wake of its $63 billion purchase of US peer Monsanto in 2016. Reuters