The basic principles for regulating the gene editing work of organisms for agricultural purposes were proposed by L. Val Giddings, senior researcher at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), on March 19 in a paper published on the Center’s website. for a New American Security (CNAS).
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are an extremely important part of American agriculture. For example, almost all varieties of corn grown in the United States are the product of genetic engineering.
Giddings argues that current regulations governing DNA recombination research are slowing the development of the industry and could deprive the United States of leadership in this field. To maintain this leadership, he proposes to base it on the following principles:
1. The rules must serve the security of the research. Giddings suggests refraining from regulating for commercial advantage or enforcing land use patterns.
2. Prohibitions should mainly concern proven and significant dangers, such as the entry of toxins, allergens or infections into the body. New and unknown dangers are, in his opinion, extremely rare.
3. Products with no known danger should be removed from regulation. Current regulations on genetic modification assume a risk without specifying a specific hazard or a likely scenario for its occurrence.
4. According to the scientist, it will not be possible to reduce the risk to zero and we just have to work to reduce it. One can only argue about where to draw the line of risk tolerance.
5. You should focus only on relative risk and not absolute risk. In other words, Giddings writes, one should compare the dangers of an existing solution with a new one. In his opinion, it is necessary to abolish rules requiring absolute risk assessment when conducting research.
Furthermore, the expert proposes to stop regulating technologies and demonstrate that the already known dangers are taken into account. Regulators, when evaluating new technologies, should not require answers to questions that do not change the risks.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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