By ‘Editing’ Plant Genes, Companies Avoid Regulation

Aditi Sirsikar
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/02/business/energy-environment/a-gray-area-in-regulation-of-genetically-modified-crops.html?_r=0
Author: Andrew Pollack 
Date of Publication: January 1, 2015

Summary:
Very recently scientists working for Scott Miracle-Gro Company have discovered new techniques to genetically modifying plants that allow companies to by-pass Agricultural Department regulations. GMO's are organisms that are genetically engineered in labs to contain foreign genes that enhance the organism. Scott Miracle-Gro is in the process of developing genetically modified grass that would require less mowing, be a ricer green and be resistant to damage from the popular weedkiller Roundup.  The foreign genetic material is inserted into the grass's DNA via a gene gun instead of using a bacterium. Since the insertion of new genes doesn't require other organisms to transport the gene, by federal law, the grass is not deemed a 'genetically modified'. Though the grass is clearly genetically modified or more specifically 'edited' it does not legally have to be checked or marked as a GMO product. There are evident financial benefits for the companies using this technology because their products are now not marked as genetically modified and can be sold in European countries. European countries, despite valid research and evidence proving GM crops are harmless to ingest, ban the import of GM foods. Therefore, these companies are able to tap into more markets, and increase profits. 

Though this new technique of genetically modifying organisms doesn't seem to affect the average consumer, in theory there might be uncharted flaws and risks in the technology. There are other crops aside from Scott grass being genetically modified in a similar manner escaping testing, like corn. GM foods were not labeled, now GM crops are not because tested or regulated. This new development could potentially be dangerous, and harmful to humans and there is no additional evidence verifying whether it is safe or not. The best interest of the people is not being taken into consideration, companies are using loopholes to their benefit and potentially to our loss. Most importantly, the Agriculture Department should amend their regulations to account for advancements in science. 

Relevance:
This article is relevant to our discussion about genetically modified foods in the molecular genetics unit. This issue is comparable to past issues concerning mislabeling of foods with GM foods. However, these new genetically modified organisms are modified differently. In the process the article regards the different methods used to genetically modify an organisms either by a bacterium or by using a gene gun. This matter also adds a new dimension to GMO's struggle to be accepted in society and properly regulated.