When it comes to buying food—whether from a grocery store or a farmers’ market—what aspects matter most to you? Is it the freshness of the produce? The origin of the food? Its organic certification or conventional status? The ability to choose freely is crucial in a democratic society, which brings us to the recent discussions surrounding gene-edited plant seeds.
Understanding Gene Editing
Have you come across the term CRISPR? It’s not a new kitchen appliance or a snack, but rather a groundbreaking technology that allows for the modification of specific genes within an organism. This can either amplify desired traits or eliminate undesirable ones.
Imagine using a pair of scissors that target precise locations on DNA strands. Gene-editing techniques can be applied to both plants and animals, yielding benefits such as enhanced disease resistance. Nonetheless, it is essential to weigh these advantages against potential drawbacks, including unintended genetic alterations, widening socio-economic disparities, proprietary rights issues, and a lack of transparency regarding these technologies.
Is Progress Happening Too Quickly?
On May 3, 2023, Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced a policy change allowing new gene-edited seeds to be introduced into Canada without undergoing health or safety evaluations, and with only voluntary reporting (managed by an industry association, Seed Canada). This decision raised alarms among Canadian organic farmers and consumers.
“In Canada—and globally—organic standards prohibit all forms of genetic engineering, including gene editing, genetic modification, and CRISPR techniques,” explains Tia Loftsgard, the executive director of the Canada Organic Trade Association.
While genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are subject to environmental scrutiny due to their incorporation of foreign DNA, gene-edited seeds currently escape such regulations, remaining unassessed for environmental impact and not openly disclosed to the public.
From Farm to Table
Gene editing in plants can enhance flavors, nutritional content, pest resistance, and adaptability to climate stressors such as drought, increased salinity, extreme temperatures, and diseases.
As with any scientific breakthrough intended for practical use, the deployment of gene-edited crops should involve comprehensive and unbiased long-term evaluations. Furthermore, there should be public education regarding the associated science, risks, and benefits, as well as an understanding of the potential consequences for agriculture.
“The current guidelines do not support the precautionary principle crucial to the organic community on this matter,” Loftsgard points out. Requiring mandatory traceability and transparency would enable farmers and consumers in Canada to exercise free and voluntary choices regarding cultivation methods.
Addressing Food Security in the Face of Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that by the middle of the century, climate change may lead to food insecurity for as many as 80 million individuals in certain regions, exacerbating nutrition deficiencies and raising mortality risks from poor diets worldwide.
Food production and environmental health are deeply interconnected. Therefore, a comprehensive strategy is necessary, encompassing efficient water use, soil health, community farming initiatives (including urban agriculture), and diverse farming practices.
“With smart modifications in land utilization, agroecological methods, and alterations to production types and policies that help reduce waste, we can achieve food security while protecting our natural resources,” Loftsgard suggests.
Employing gene-edited plants to create resilient varieties can serve as a useful method, but concerns over their risks persist. “Genetically modified seeds and crops are not a one-size-fits-all solution and are often used alongside pesticides,” Loftsgard adds. “Food systems are complex, relying on the interplay of crops with their environments, soil vitality, and biodiversity.”
Encouraging Progress with Transparency
Can advances in science, agriculture, and consumer demands coexist harmoniously? As in many significant issues, open dialogue and full transparency are essential. Public awareness allows consumers to make informed decisions regarding the foods they purchase and whether they choose to support traditional versus gene-boosted agriculture.
Moreover, legal regulations concerning gene-edited plants differ by nation, potentially impacting international food trade.
The contentious issue of seed patenting (which prevents seeds from entering the public domain) has implications for both farmers and consumers alike.
“The organic and non-GMO sectors are not opposed to the accessibility of gene-edited seeds,” Loftsgard notes. Instead, they advocate for compulsory traceability and transparency, enabling Canadian farmers and consumers to make free and voluntary choices regarding farming methods; a merely voluntary registry is insufficient,” Loftsgard asserts.
If you share concerns regarding the new policies permitting the entry of GE seeds (and crops) into our food supply without government supervision and public transparency, consider reaching out to your Member of Parliament to urge the ministers of Health and Agriculture to reconsider their stance.
For further information and actions you can take, please visit cban.ca/take-action/no-exemptions/.
· 40 crops have undergone modification via CRISPR, including rice (43%), tomato (12%), maize (9%), wheat (7%), and potato (4%).
· As of 2022, 5 crops with genetically modified traits are cultivated in Canada: corn, canola, soy, sugar beet, and alfalfa.
· At least 200 international patent applications for GE seeds/plants have been submitted by 7 major companies.
Originally, this article appeared in the November 2023 edition of Thewindowsclubs magazine.
