BIOVEGEN welcomes the conclusions of the European Commission study on new genomic techniques

• The EC study highlights the potential of these tools for the development of a more sustainable and competitive agri-food system.
• BIOVEGEN and EU SAGE organize the Symposium “Genomic Editing of Crops: beyond science” that will highlight the importance of these techniques in the European context.

Madrid, 05-11-2021.- BIOVEGEN – Spanish Technological Platform for Plant Biotechnology, as an R&D&I network in plant production and a representative entity of the Spanish innovative agri-food sector, has optimistically welcomed the publication of the study published by the European Commission on new genomic techniques (NGTs). This study was requested by the Council of the European Union as a result of the decision of the Court of Justice to subject the organisms obtained through these techniques to the regulation on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO).

BIOVEGEN supports the main conclusions of this study, which highlights that there is strong evidence that current legislation does not suit the purposes of some NGTs and their products, and therefore needs to be adapted to scientific and technological advances. Likewise, it states that it would not be justified to apply different levels of regulatory control to similar products, as is the case of plants, traditionally generated and obtained from certain NGTs. This paper also shows how these NGTs have the potential to contribute to a more sustainable agri-food system and help achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy.

Aware of the importance of these new genomic techniques, which represent a revolutionary technology whose significance has been recognized with the awarding of the Nobel Prize to its discoverers, BIOVEGEN has co-organized with EU SAGE the Symposium “Genomic Editing of Crops: beyond science” which will take place tomorrow, May 12, 2021 starting at 11:00 a.m.

This meeting will focus on reviewing the state of the art of genome editing and its application to agriculture, as well as debating and studying the social, economic and sustainability consequences derived from the implementation of more restrictive or permissive regulation. To this end, the ethical, legal and competitive implications will be analyzed by experts in different disciplines, including representatives from the fields of research, business, economics and bioethics.

About BIOVEGEN

BIOVEGEN-Plant Biotechnology Technology Platform is a public-private entity whose objective is to improve the competitiveness of the sector through the development of technologies from Plant Biology. To do this, it brings together entities from the Spanish agri-food sector, connecting the supply and demand of technology, and generating business opportunities through Science-Business collaboration. BIOVEGEN develops collaborations and R&D projects, and identifies the technological challenges of the sector to develop technologies. It acts as an interface between the scientific, business and Administration communities. To this end, it offers a series of tools to facilitate its partners' R&D&I activities. It currently has 134 partner entities: 113 companies, 21 research organizations and the Ministry of Science and Innovation, which supports and co-finances the initiative. In addition, BIOVEGEN is open to collaborations with other entities in the sector. 

About EU SAGE

EUSAGE (European Sustainable Agriculture through Genome Editing) is a network that represents more than 130 European research institutes and associations that have joined forces to provide information on gene editing and promote the development of European policies that allow its use in sustainable agriculture and food production. In 2020 EUSAGE published an Open Statement addressed to the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission, in which European scientists advise revising the current Genetically Modified Organisms Directive (GMOs) to reflect current scientific knowledge and evidence on genome editing.