When you purchase food from a store or farmers’ market, what aspects are most important to you? Is it the freshness of the items? The origins of the products? Whether they are organic or conventional? In a democratic society, the freedom of choice is crucial, and this underpins the ongoing discussions about new regulations on gene-edited plant seeds.
Understanding gene editing
Have you heard about CRISPR? It’s not a new kitchen appliance or snack; it’s a groundbreaking technology that allows for the modification of specific genes within an organism to either bolster desired traits or eliminate undesirable ones.
You can think of it like using science-based scissors to precisely edit genetic material. This technique can be applied in agriculture, offering benefits such as enhanced disease resistance, but it’s also essential to weigh the potential risks, including unintended consequences, exacerbation of social inequalities, concerns regarding intellectual property, and a lack of transparency.
Are we rushing forward?
On May 3, 2023, Canada’s Agriculture Minister, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced that new gene-edited (GE) seeds will be approved for use without undergoing health or safety evaluations, with only voluntary disclosure from the industry. This policy shift raised numerous concerns from organic farmers and consumers alike in Canada.
According to Tia Loftsgard, executive director of the Canada Organic Trade Association, “Organic standards across Canada and worldwide strictly ban all forms of genetic engineering, encompassing gene editing and CRISPR techniques.”
While genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which are created using foreign DNA, face various environmental safety regulations, gene-edited seeds currently do not require these assessments or any public disclosure.
Impact on our meals
Gene editing in plants can improve flavors, nutritional content, and make them more resistant to pests or hardships associated with climate change, including drought and temperature extremes.
As with any cutting-edge scientific development in agriculture, a careful and comprehensive (long-term) evaluation of GE plants is warranted, alongside transparent communication of the associated science, potential risks, and their implications for agriculture.
Loftsgard notes, “The current guidelines do not align with the precautionary measures that are crucial in the organic community.” Emphasizing traceability and transparency, she insists these practices enable both consumers and farmers in Canada to freely and voluntarily choose their cultivation methods.
Food supply and climate change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlights that by 2050, climate change could lead to food scarcity for up to 80 million individuals in various regions, exacerbating undernutrition and increasing mortality rates due to inadequate dietary provisions worldwide.
Food production and environmental health are deeply interconnected, necessitating a holistic strategy that includes effective water management, soil revitalization, community-centered agriculture (like urban farming), and diversification in farming methods and landscapes.
Loftsgard asserts that “By implementing intelligent land use changes and agroecological advancements, paired with dietary shifts and strategies to reduce waste, we can cultivate enough food while preserving our natural resources.” Gene-edited plants could serve as an additional strategy, but caution is advised regarding their associated risks. “Genetically modified plants and seeds aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution and often rely on the use of pesticides,” she adds. “Food systems are intricately complex and depend on the relationships between crops, their ecosystems, soil health, and other species.”
Encouraging advancements, requiring transparency
Is it possible for agricultural innovation, consumer expectations, and scientific progress to coexist harmoniously? Open dialogue and transparency are essential in addressing these profound questions. Public access to information empowers consumers to make informed choices about their food purchases and determine their support for either traditional or gene-edited agricultural practices.
Furthermore, differing regulations on GE crops among countries may impact international food trade.
The issue of seed patenting, which can restrict access to seeds that would otherwise be part of the public domain, can also be contentious, with implications for both farmers and consumers.
Loftsgard emphasizes, “The organic and non-GMO sectors are not attempting to prevent gene-edited seeds from entering the market. Instead, they are advocating for mandatory transparency and traceability to provide farmers and consumers in Canada with real choices in cultivation methods; a voluntary registry is inadequate.”
If you are worried about the recent policies permitting the entry of GE seeds and crops into our food supply without stringent oversight and public transparency, consider reaching out to your local Member of Parliament to urge the Health and Agriculture ministers to revisit their ruling.
For additional information and actions, please visit cban.ca/take-action/no-exemptions/.
· 40 crops have been altered through CRISPR technology, including rice (43%), tomato (12%), maize (9%), wheat (7%), and potato (4%).
· As of 2022, five genetically modified crops grown in Canada include corn, canola, soybeans, sugar beets, and alfalfa.
· At least 200 patent applications for GE seeds/plants have been submitted by seven major corporations worldwide.
This article first appeared in the November 2023 edition of up7op magazine.
