| | 26/February/24
| | What is gene editing and how is it different from older-style GM and conventional breeding? There's a lot of confusion out there about what gene editing is and is not, fed by the efforts of pro-GMO lobbyists. For example, it's commonly claimed that gene editing doesn't involve the introduction of foreign DNA into the genome and that gene editing just makes changes that are similar to what could happen in nature. In a new briefing, Prof Michael Antoniou and Claire Robinson sort out the myths from the facts. The explain what gene editing is and how it differs from older-style GM and conventional breeding. GMWatch EU funds new GMO detection projects to the tune of €11m The EU has allocated a total of €11m to two research projects on detection methods for new GMOs (products of “new genomic techniques” or NGTs). The move comes after a longstanding refusal by the European Commission to fund such research and at a time when the EU institutions are engaged in a deregulation process to weaken the safeguards around new GMOs. The first project, DARWIN, is led by NORCE (Norwegian Research Centre) and has received funding of €5m. The Non-GMO industry association VLOG is also involved. The second project, DETECTIVE, is led by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and has received funding of €6m. Also involved are the GMO industry lobby group Euroseeds, along with various organisations with a history of GMO industry-friendly views and activities, such as the EU Joint Research Centre and Wageningen University. GMWatch FSANZ fails responsibility for duty of care as untested GM bananas get go-ahead Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has recommended that A1274 genetically engineered bananas be allowed into the food chain, even though FSANZ has not required evidence of the safety of the bananas or testing in feeding trials, writes GE-free NZ. The approval is in tandem with the Office of the Gene Regulator (Australia) allowing planting of the bananas if there is an outbreak of the fungus that causes the soil borne Panama Disease. The plants won't actually be grown or eaten immediately, but are being rubber-stamped for future rollout. Approvals of GM bananas is of great concern to the local banana industry developing in New Zealand, where there is no soil borne Panama disease. Growers in other countries with diverse varieties do not have the vulnerability that monoculture has created for the Australian industry. Food safety is a priority for consumers and so safety testing is key to maintaining trust. Bananas are a first baby food and the lack of any safety will have serious implication for the infant. "If FSANZ won't test the safety of the GM bananas it will shift liability to producers and food manufacturers to ensure the product is safe," said Jon Carapiet of GE-free NZ (in food and environment). GE-Free NZ Potential harmful effects of genetically engineered microorganisms on the intestinal microbiome and public health GMO microorganisms' horizontal gene exchanges might induce multiple human diseases and current regulations do not protect public health, according to scientists who have published a new peer-reviewed paper. They recommend that "Widespread use of natural and genetically engineered intestinal biotics should be halted, and public labelling and clear transparency should be instituted." The scientists conclude, "It is important to remember that prevention is the most cost-effective strategy and primum non nocere ["first do no harm", the first principle of medical ethics] should be the focus." Microorganisms EFSA launches consultation on new developments in biotechnology applied to microorganisms EFSA's Nutrition and Food Innovation Unit has launched a public consultation on the draft scientific opinion on new developments in biotechnology applied to microorganisms. Interested parties are invited to submit their comments by the 8 April deadline. [GMW: Pro-GMO lobbyists are trying to have these experimental GMO microorganisms deregulated.] EFSA Misinformation researcher Sander van der Linden caught lying and spreading misinformation Aimed at fools, misinformation research suppresses dissent and launders partisan opinions into a fake consensus on controversies, writes Paul D. Thacker. The Cambridge University academic Sander van der Linden called the possibility of a lab accident a racist conspiracy theory. Thacker writes that virologists and disinformation “experts” promoted this line for years, until too much evidence came out showing that it never made sense. Plus, asks Thacker, why is it “racist” to say the pandemic started in a Chinese lab and not in a Chinese market that sells wild animals? “It’s a narrative that never made any sense and was obviously designed to shut down discussion by labelling people ‘racist’.” Now, writes Thacker, van der Linden has been "exposed as a liar and a quack who spreads misinformation while editing his personal Wikipedia page for the last decade through various single purpose accounts (SPAs) or sock puppets, to burnish his credentials and promote himself and his research”. The Disinformation Chronicle We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible by readers’ donations. 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