The UK Government has announced today that rules surrounding gene editing will be relaxed to further explore the potential benefits. The main aims of the new regulation freedoms are to encourage the development of more resilient and productive crops for farmers to grow in the UK. Gene editing speeds up the natural plant breeding process by enabling scientists to breed crops that are more resistant to disease, pests and certain environmental conditions. This tool could help tackle some difficult global challenges such as climate change and food security. The existing GMO regulations relating to gene editing involving introducing DNA from other species will remain in place.
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Farming UK: Government pushes ahead with easing gene editing rules