Global Scans · Genetic modification · Weekly Summary

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• [New] As India continues to harness the potential of CRISPR technology, robust regulatory frameworks will be essential to ensure safety, efficacy, and ethical use of gene-edited crops. India Corporate Law
• [New] With a company like Pairwise launching its first gene-edited food and partnering with Bayer to accelerate the development and sale of products, we can expect gene-edited food to have a larger presence in the near future. The Drum
• United Kingdom: The UK allows gene editing for medical purposes but bans genetic modifications that future generations could inherit. TopicPie Insight Hub
• Experts around the world, including the Alliance for Science, agree that GMOs pose no health risks. The Quick Report
• While the ethical considerations surrounding gene editing remain complex, 2025 could see advancements in gene therapies for a wider range of diseases, offering hope for millions of patients. Cambridge Open Academy
• A GROUNDBREAKING gene-editing treatment for sickle cell disease has been approved for use in the UK by the NHS, offering the potential for a cure. European Medical Journal
• The Asia-Pacific region is expected to observe significant growth over the forecast period due to the rising deployment of gene editing in agriculture and increasing investments in the biotechnology industry. Markets and Data
• While proponents of genetic modification argue that it has the potential to solve India's agricultural productivity problem, opponents point to the negative implications on environment and human health. Drishti IAS
• Basel, Switzerland - Researchers have developed a highly efficient gene editing therapy that could potentially treat Stargardt disease, the most common form of inherited macular degeneration. Samedan
• Supporters of crop gene editing say it will strengthen Europe's food system and make it greener, by developing plants that are more resilient to climate change and pests, have a higher yield, and require less fertiliser. Financial Times
• While there are potential risks that must be addressed and mitigated, the benefits of genetic modification offer promising opportunities for improving human health, advancing agriculture, and addressing global challenges. Genethics
• Gene editing, including germplasm, will transform the way the world farms. MarketBeat
• GMO crops, through their environmental sustainability, potential for nutritionally-fortified foods and increased productivity, actually play a key role in keeping the cost of food down, now and in the future. The Week
• Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has rubbished a report that suggests the primary sector could take a $10 billion hit if genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are released into the environment. Rural News Group
• Gene editing technology could play a vital role to play in climate-proofing future crops to protect global food security. ScienceDaily
• EU SPS alignment would undermine the UK's more open attitude to gene editing for precision plant and animal breeding which could increase UK agricultural productivity and potentially increase UK agri-food production. The Critic Magazine
• Crops and drugs created using powerful gene editing techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 might not need to be regulated by the strict European Union rules that govern genetically modified organisms (GMOs). PubMed Central (PMC)
• The Rise of Gene Editing: Wood also underscored the transformative potential of gene editing technologies, specifically mentioning CRISPR Therapeutics. Benzinga
• Chinese corn breeders are preparing for the planting of more than double the amount of genetically modified corn in 2024 than in 2023, three industry sources said, with Beijing expected to tightly control for a second year the rollout of GMOs. CNA
• The continued use of contaminants like GMOs and glyphosate would put Mexican agricultural biodiversity at risk, jeopardise entire ecosystems and move Mexico away from the path towards food sovereignty and self-sufficiency. Greenpeace International
• Kenyan universities expect a boost in biotechnology research and education following the recent lifting of a decade-long ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). allAfrica.com
• In the field of biotechnology, 2024 is expected to introduce advancements in gene editing, synthetic biology, and bioengineering. Mantech Publications
• Editas Medicine and Genevant Sciences will collaborate to develop gene editing therapies, employing their respective CRISPR and LNP technologies under a nonexclusive licencing agreement. Pharmaceutical Technology

Last updated: 30 March 2025