'Liberating the UK's Extraordinary Bioscience Sector': But Only a Little

A promise 'to liberate the UK's extraordinary bioscience sector from anti-genetic modification rules' was first made by the PM in 2019. There will now be legislation to enable scientifically-modified animals and plants to be marketed more easily in England (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/14/uk-scientists-food-gene-editing-genetic-technology). Genetic Modification (GM) technology involves inserting a gene from one organism into another organism's DNA to change its properties. This technology has proved acceptable for the production of medicines (e.g. human insulin and somatotrophic/growth hormone). Compaigns against 'Frankenstein foods' (and concerns about potential environmental impacts) has, however, resulted in European limitations on the use of GM crops and animals. More recently, CRISPR-Cas9 (gene editing) technology has been developed. Gene editing involves making changes to an organism's DNA. In this case, there is no transfer of genes between organisms. CRISPR has been used, for example, to produce disease-resistent pigs, of obvious benefit to farmers. It appears that the proposed legislation changes will approve gene edited animals and plants but maintain some limitations on the use of GM organisms. This seems a pity, as many GM plants appear to have real potential benefits. For example, plants have been developed producing omega-3 fatty acids. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids protect people against coronary heart disease and strokes. These fatty acids have traditionally been obtained by eating fish. Fish stocks are, however, in decline. GM technology has also been used to develop the PiperPlus potato. The PiperPlus is exactly like the popular Maris Piper strain but is resistant to potato blight. This means that farmers, growing this new variety, will not have to use their tractors to spray anti-fungal preparations on their potato fields 5-6 times a year. In addition to saving money on buying anti-fungals, this would reduce carbon dioxide emissions from tractors, reduce the deletious compacting of soil and eliminate pollution of ground waters. The proposed legislation changes would not, however, 'give the green light' to these GM crops. Even more strangely, any planned relaxing of genetic technology would only apply to England. The Roslin Institute ('home' of Dolly the Sheep) is in Edinburgh. So changes in English legislation, may not be reciprocated in Scotland. True liberation must involve GM as well as gene editing technologies. It should also apply to the whole of the UK (pollen doesn't recognise borders between the constituent countries).