Gene editing could tackle world hunger, but the public need to have confidence in it – iNews

We lead todays i with a science exclusive likely to change the food we eat in this country: the Government is going to approve genetic engineering in UK farming.

New laws will allow crops and animals to be genetically edited to reduce disease and to increase resistance to extreme weather and pests.

Critics include animal welfare campaigners, who are worried about conditions, and Franken-food activists, concerned by the consequences of genetic fiddling.

Supporters, including many scientists, say gene editing is a simple technique that speeds up conventional selective breeding. They believe it can tackle world hunger.

Gene editing means genes are replaced by others from the same species rather than being injected from a secondspecies, as in genetic modification (GM).

There is a clear difference between the techniques for genetic editing and for GM; between the ethical questions raised; and, very soon, between the laws that will govern them in the UK.

Brexit allows the Government to diverge from Brussels in a major change to farming. Ministers hope to boost research could it transform food production in Britain and beyond? as well as accelerate the arrival of gene-edited food on our plates.

Public confidence will be key, requiring strong regulation and clear labelling. Some people wont care to discover the differences between gene editing and GM, so educating us about changes to our food will be crucial to acceptance.

Brussels is thinking of following Britains lead, the European Commission said yesterday. If gene editing is going to transform food supplies in the developing world, low-income countries will need the huge European market to also welcome their products.

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Gene editing could tackle world hunger, but the public need to have confidence in it - iNews