Genetically Engineered Food and Feed 

What is genome editing?

Genome editing refers to a set of modern biotechnology tools used by scientists to make precise changes in an organism’s DNA, also known as the genome. Genome editing is increasingly being used to generate new crop varieties that can be used in food and/or animal feed. You may read more about genome editing here. 

What are the differences between genome edited crops and genetically modified crops?

Both genome edited (GEd) and genetically modified (GM) crops have had their DNA changed using tools from modern biotechnology. However, GEd and GM crops differ in how they are made:

a. GEd crops

Genome editing tools allow crop developers to make precise changes in an organism’s DNA. On the one hand, these changes can be small without introducing foreign DNA. The resulting GEd crop is equivalent to crop varieties found naturally or bred using conventional breeding techniques. On the other hand, genome editing can introduce foreign DNA into a crop – the resulting crop is equivalent to a GM crop.

b. GM crops

Genetic modification tools insert foreign DNA into a crop, which confers new desirable traits. The resulting GM crop could not have been found naturally or bred using conventional breeding techniques.

What is the regulatory framework for genome edited crops?

Ensuring the safety of food innovations is SFA's principal consideration. SFA has therefore developed a science-based and risk-proportionate regulatory framework for genome edited (GEd) crops used in food and/or animal feed.

Under this framework, GEd crops that are equivalent to conventionally bred crops are not required to undergo a pre-market safety assessment. Nonetheless, crop developers are encouraged to notify SFA prior to the sale of such GEd crops. 

GEd crops that are equivalent to genetically modified (GM) crops are required to undergo a pre-market safety assessment and approval process before they can be used in food.

SFA will continue to monitor all GM and GEd crops on the market to ensure their safety. SFA will also continue to work with different stakeholders, including the industry and members of the public, in implementing this regulatory framework to ensure the safe use of GEd crops in food and feed.

How does SFA classify genome edited crops?

SFA classifies genome edited (GEd) crops intended for use as food and animal feed as follows:

a. GEd crops without foreign DNA

GEd crops without foreign DNA are crops that could have been generated via conventional breeding. If you are developing a GEd crop without foreign DNA, you are encouraged to notify SFA by submitting an Information Checklist.

b. GEd crops with foreign DNA

GEd crops that contain foreign DNA are crops that could not have been generated via conventional breeding. SFA requires such crops to undergo the pre-market safety assessment process for GMOs.

Does the regulatory process apply to my genome edited crop?

For more information

Resources

• Information on gene editing by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
• Information on biotechnology and GM foods by the FAO.