Genome-edited crops are not regulated in the US, as regulators focus on the
product and not the process, that is, as long as the GE product lacks
recombinant DNA, no plant pest or pesticidal effect, and is as safe for food
as the traditionally bred one, it is not subjected to regulation. Scientists
Jeffrey Wolt and Clark Wolf of Iowa State University mentioned in their
provisionally accepted article in Frontiers in Plant Science that regardless
of this decision, "societal uncertainties" are still present, moving
regulators to seek ways to modify the existing definition of biotechnology
products and address these uncertainties. The authors mention that the laws
and constitution related to the US Coordinated Framework for Biotechnology
have major roles in decision making regarding the regulation of gene edited
crops.
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www.frontiersin.org]