Precision breeding: legislation, applications, and implications for the UK

Precision breeding, using advanced techniques like CRISPR-Cas9, is transforming agriculture by allowing precise edits to plant DNA to enhance traits such as yield, nutritional value, and resistance to pests and diseases. This method offers a more targeted and efficient alternative to traditional breeding. In the UK, the Precision Breeding Bill, introduced in 2022, aims to support the development and commercialisation gene edited organisms with streamlined and clear regulations.

Professor Giles Oldroyd, Director of the Crop Science Centre, who shared their experience with the government, said “The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill is a crucial step that opens new possibilities for science and innovation in agriculture. The UK, like many countries, is racing to climate-proof food systems, and conventional breeding cannot keep pace with the rapidly changing challenges of new growing conditions. Precision breeding, through gene editing, allows scientists to accelerate what would otherwise take much longer through natural processes and conventional breeding. UK research has made extraordinary advances in this field over the last 30 years, and this law broadens the scope of scientific exploration, which can only bring benefits.”

The Precision Breeding Bill makes a clear distinction between conventional genetically modified organisms, (GMOs) and precision-bred organisms, defining the latter as those created through site-directed nucleases resulting in a product that could have occurred naturally. This distinction is critical for regulatory oversight by bodies like the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which ensure the safety, environmental sustainability, and effectiveness of these new crops. Public consultation and transparency were intrinsic in the generation of the Precision Breeding Bill.

The applications of precision breeding are extensive. Here at the Crop Science Centre, we are using gene editing to develop crops that get hypercolonised by beneficial fungi, as well as crops that avoid the damaging effects of pests and pathogens. The method significantly reduces the time needed to develop new crop varieties, providing a quicker response to agricultural challenges. Furthermore, precision breeding has the potential to promote sustainable farming methods, by developing new traits that mitigate heavy reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilisers, thus mitigating environmental impact and promoting biodiversity.

However, the integration of precision breeding into UK agriculture also presents challenges. The streamlined regulatory process could enhance market dynamics by increasing the availability of new edited varieties, encouraging competition and innovation. This could potentially lower costs and increase the availability of enhanced crops for farmers. Public perception is critical, and we are working alongside others to ensure effective communication around this new emerging technology and to highlight the benefits of precision breeding. The UK’s stance on precision breeding is important internationally, demonstrating clarity around the use and regulation of this approach is vital for its broader acceptance. Harmonising regulations with international trade partners is essential to avoid trade barriers and ensure the smooth exchange of agricultural products.

In summary, precision breeding is a pivotal advancement in agricultural biotechnology, promising significant benefits for crop improvement and sustainability. The UK’s regulatory framework aims to harness these benefits while ensuring safety and public trust, positioning the country at the forefront of agricultural innovation. Addressing public concerns and aligning international trade standards will be critical for the successful integration of precision-bred crops into the agricultural landscape.

Share this: