• ON March 23 the government passed the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act.

“Precision breeding (aka gene editing, GE) describes a range of genetic techniques that can alter the DNA of plants and animals – including pets – in a more precise way than traditional breeding techniques.” (FSA)

Two years ago “Defra held a public consultation from 7 January to 17 March 2021, to gather views on the regulation of genetic technologies in England. In total, 6440 consultation responses were received via an online platform (Citizen Space), email and post.”

This act was passed, despite the RSPCA, Soil Association, The Landworkers’ Alliance and Beyond GM & GM Freeze, all expressing their concerns on health, environmental and animal welfare; see Defra’s Genetic technologies regulation: summary of responses.

And for each question, an overwhelming majority voted against it, stating that:

1) …they “supported continuing the regulation of GEOs (genetically engineered organisms) as GMOs (genetically modified organisms);

2) …there was greater risk [and] provided a number of different possible risks associated with GE, including risks to the environment, biodiversity, human health and animal welfare;

3) …there were non-safety issues to consider (consumer choice… animal welfare…);

4) …there are no suitable criteria to determine whether an organism produced by GE or other genetic technologies could have been produced by traditional breeding;

5) and… (non-GMO) legislation was insufficient to deal with all organisms irrespective of how they were produced, (crop plants; farmed animals; food for human consumption; animal feed; human and veterinary medicines and other sectors/activities).

Given the flagrant disregard of the consultation responses, what authorised the government to pass this unholy act? Look out for the “biotech” label.

JANINE SACHS
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