The current rules on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the European
Union "no longer fit," according to leading scientists in a newly released
commentary. Scientists who are members of the European Academies Science
Advisory Council (EASAC) are calling for a radical reform of the legal
framework. "There is a societal cost of not using new genome editing
techniques or being slow in adoption. We have no time to lose in resolving
our shared problems for food and nutrition security," says Robin Fears,
Director of EASAC's Biosciences Programme.



In 2018, the European Court of Justice ruled that regulations for GMOs must
also apply to all organisms which have been altered using new genome editing
methods. EASAC points out that in the face of today's challenges to deliver
food and nutrition security for all, to fight social inequity and climate
change, the new techniques have great potential to improve both public and
planetary health.

The European Council has already asked the European Commission to clarify
regulatory options. EASAC sees this as an opportunity not to be missed to
call for radical reform and for the EU to revise the GMO definition, develop
a new legal framework, and to provide tools for future innovation in farming
practices.

[easac.eu]