Eustice announces consutlation on gene editing

[Formatted]

At OFC this morning

 

[T Hectares]

Gene editing isn’t GM though...

 

[Formatted]

Gene editing isn’t GM though...

How is gene editing not genetic modification?

 

[Princess Pooper]

How is gene editing not genetic modification?

gene editing is editing the genes of the same species - a sort of deliberate mutation that could occur naturally. Genetic modification is using genes from 2 or more different species.

 

[Formatted]

rubbish, you can try and justify it like that but our customers won't see it that way.

 

[ajd132]

depends who really benefits, farmers or the multi nationals. further vertical integration into farm businesses? quick fixes? seen it all before with farmers becoming over reliant on buying solutions.

 

[ajd132]

also what does the consumer want?

 

[Secret Agronomist]

It needs to deliver benefits for all in the supply chain, roundup ready was just a wheeze to sell chemical, whereas if we could get N fixing/disease resistance etc etc into crops that would deliver measurable reductions in energy/chem use it would be a win for everyone. In Ireland they have done research on getting blight resistance into potatoes and while you still need some chem. its a lot less than traditionally.
When I say supply chain I really meant consumers, if they can see benefits to their health or the environment then that MAY be the way to go.

 

[Princess Pooper]

rubbish, you can try and justify it like that but our customers won't see it that way.

I'm not justifying it I am stating a fact. That is the difference between gene editing and genetic modification. You obviously haven't got a clue what you are talking about. As I have a relative who is a senior plant breeder with 30 years experience I think he knew what he was doing when he explained it to me. Even the Guardian has got that bit right. https://www.theguardian.com/science...nd-livestock-may-soon-be-permitted-in-england

 

[Secret Agronomist]

And even if overall the cost to produce a T of something doesn't change as we will end up paying for seed traits, its better than carrying on splashing chems about.

 

[neilo]

I'm not justifying it I am stating a fact. That is the difference between gene editing and genetic modification. You obviously haven't got a clue what you are talking about.

^this.

I understand some countries legally define GE as what could be done (albeit more slowly) with selective breeding. As you state above, GM is the addition of genetic material from another species, which wouldn’t be possible with conventional breeding techniques.

Unfortunately the anti-GM/anti-Monsanto like to muddy the water too, meaning the general public will be equally poorly informed as the op appears to be.

 

[capfits]

Unlikely in my remaining farming life but ultimately it will be the market that will make that decision.

 

[neilo]

And even if overall the cost to produce a T of something doesn't change as we will end up paying for seed traits, its better than carrying on splashing chems about.

If there is a benefit from doing so then it is surely ok for the developers to benefit financially from their work, otherwise the work won’t be done?
As long as it’s not compulsory to use that seed, then I don’t see an issue on that basis.

 

[neilo]

Unlikely in my remaining farming life but ultimately it will be the market that will make that decision.

It’s already been going on elsewhere in the world for some time so, unless you’re planning on retiring very soon, it could become an option.
IF it was made legal here, it could be imported directly from the US, Japan, Argentina or Australia (iirc).

 

[Hindsight]

I may be wrong on this but legalising gene editing would allow UK based world leading research institutes to undertake research that may benefit the world. Does not mean any of that research has to be used in the UK farming industry. Separate issue if such products are made available for commercial use in UK. Then it will be down to market forces if adopted. But please do not hinder these research institutes in their work to assist the world. We can see from the Covid that many of the world leading researchers are based in UK - which amazes me everytime I walk down my local town high street.

 

[neilo]

Are the current crop of Covid vaccines now being rolled out, after being developed at a fantastic speed, not created by gene editing? Is it still a 'bad' technique when used in that way?

 

[Two Tone]

I’ll guarantee that it will happen. Most of our Chief Government scientific advisors agree that it is safe and it is a question of when, not if that it becomes the norm. With the world population rising as fact as it is, we will not be able to feed ourselves without it.

Just imagine how fast attitude would change if we found that we could produce food without adding to the CO2 /Methane or other GHG’s by GM or GE?

Or even be shown to reduce that made by other GHG polluters by using GM or GE crops?

 

[womble8350]

also what does the consumer want?

Answer cheap food!

The majority just want cheap food and don’t really care where it comes from if the truth is really known.

 

[Formatted]

Are the current crop of Covid vaccines now being rolled out, after being developed at a fantastic speed, not created by gene editing? Is it still a 'bad' technique when used in that way?

That is a fair comment but big difference in the mindset of the average person between a vaccine and food, and even with the vaccine there is not a significant group that are anti-vac

 

[Barleycorn]

Wasn't Golden Promise barley bred by some similar measure?