Mexican researchers are calling for distinct, evidence-based regulation of gene-edited crops to avoid conflating them with genetically modified organisms. They argue that genome-editing systems such as CRISPR-Cas, which let scientists cut, silence or modify specific genes, can change crop traits more quickly and precisely than traditional breeding and therefore merit different rules.
In response to the lack of a specific legal framework in Mexico, 28 researchers from national institutions issued a public statement and launched a petition on Change.org. The petition asks the government to create regulations that would permit the use of gene editing to improve traits like nutritional value and drought tolerance, while preserving oversight and control mechanisms.
The call follows a decree signed in March by President Claudia Sheinbaum that bans cultivation of genetically modified maize and specifies that maize production must be free of genetic modifications that overcome natural barriers to reproduction or recombination, naming transgenic crops as an example. Some researchers fear the decree could be interpreted to include gene-editing methods that do not introduce foreign DNA. Luis José Delaye Arredondo of the Center for Research and Advanced Studies said precision editing does not necessarily involve genes from other species and deserves distinct rules, while other scientists warned that directed changes can have amplified or unexpected effects outside the laboratory and need multidisciplinary analysis.
Researchers pointed to regional approaches for comparison: Argentina introduced gene-editing rules in 2015 and evaluates products case by case, and Chile followed in 2017, treating products without DNA from another organism as conventional. Miguel Sánchez, executive director of ChileBio, said gene editing reduces time and cost to develop new varieties and that Mexico is missing out. Some scientists also argued the debate should include social and economic issues so regulation can guide use and monitoring. It remains unclear how authorities will respond to the petition or whether differentiated regulations will be proposed.
Difficult words
- gene editing — changing specific genes in an organismgene-edited
- genome editing — methods that change an organism's DNA preciselygenome-editing
- conflate — treat two different things as the sameconflating
- transgenic — containing genes from a different species
- oversight — official monitoring or supervision of activities
- multidisciplinary — involving several academic or professional fields
- case by case — considering each situation individually before deciding
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Should gene editing be regulated differently from genetically modified organisms? Give reasons based on the article.
- What social and economic issues should regulators consider when creating rules for gene editing, and why are they important?
- How might different rules for gene editing affect farmers and crop development in Mexico?
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