The applicability of the European GMO legislation to epigenetically modified organisms
In addition to classic genetic engineering for the targeted modification of the base sequence of the DNA, epigenetic methods for the targeted modification of the genetic material without base changes are increasingly being used. Such epigenetic techniques can be used, for example, to influence stres...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1124131/full |
| _version_ | 1797894291151912960 |
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| author | Timo Faltus |
| author_facet | Timo Faltus |
| author_sort | Timo Faltus |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In addition to classic genetic engineering for the targeted modification of the base sequence of the DNA, epigenetic methods for the targeted modification of the genetic material without base changes are increasingly being used. Such epigenetic techniques can be used, for example, to influence stress tolerance to heat or aridity in plants. The regulatory handling of organisms generated by means of epigenetic techniques on the grounds of genetic engineering law has not yet been clarified. This paper critically reviews the legal classification of epigenetically modified organisms as GMOs as expressed in the study on New Genomic Techniques published in April 2021 by the European Commission. The paper shows that there are reasons to assume that epigenetically modified organisms are not covered by the European GMO legislation. In addition, the paper provides an introductory overview of the significance of epigenetics and the methods used to intentionally influence epigenetic traits and illustrates the possibility for a consistent, risk-based regulation of epigenetic modifications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T07:07:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d9670a89563049d6a473bac4d217a03c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-4185 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T07:07:44Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d9670a89563049d6a473bac4d217a03c2023-02-27T07:18:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852023-02-011110.3389/fbioe.2023.11241311124131The applicability of the European GMO legislation to epigenetically modified organismsTimo FaltusIn addition to classic genetic engineering for the targeted modification of the base sequence of the DNA, epigenetic methods for the targeted modification of the genetic material without base changes are increasingly being used. Such epigenetic techniques can be used, for example, to influence stress tolerance to heat or aridity in plants. The regulatory handling of organisms generated by means of epigenetic techniques on the grounds of genetic engineering law has not yet been clarified. This paper critically reviews the legal classification of epigenetically modified organisms as GMOs as expressed in the study on New Genomic Techniques published in April 2021 by the European Commission. The paper shows that there are reasons to assume that epigenetically modified organisms are not covered by the European GMO legislation. In addition, the paper provides an introductory overview of the significance of epigenetics and the methods used to intentionally influence epigenetic traits and illustrates the possibility for a consistent, risk-based regulation of epigenetic modifications.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1124131/fullepigenetically modified organismsepigenetic techniquescropsEuropean GMO legislationdirective 2001/18/EClegal classification |
| spellingShingle | Timo Faltus The applicability of the European GMO legislation to epigenetically modified organisms Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology epigenetically modified organisms epigenetic techniques crops European GMO legislation directive 2001/18/EC legal classification |
| title | The applicability of the European GMO legislation to epigenetically modified organisms |
| title_full | The applicability of the European GMO legislation to epigenetically modified organisms |
| title_fullStr | The applicability of the European GMO legislation to epigenetically modified organisms |
| title_full_unstemmed | The applicability of the European GMO legislation to epigenetically modified organisms |
| title_short | The applicability of the European GMO legislation to epigenetically modified organisms |
| title_sort | applicability of the european gmo legislation to epigenetically modified organisms |
| topic | epigenetically modified organisms epigenetic techniques crops European GMO legislation directive 2001/18/EC legal classification |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1124131/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT timofaltus theapplicabilityoftheeuropeangmolegislationtoepigeneticallymodifiedorganisms AT timofaltus applicabilityoftheeuropeangmolegislationtoepigeneticallymodifiedorganisms |