New Genomic Techniques
For years, genetic engineering has been working towards the development of new varieties of apples and vines that are better able to withstand disease, drought, and high temperatures. Genomic techniques for varietal improvements have rapidly evolved and now offer more targeted, faster, and efficient processes. On 5 July 2023 the European Commission presented a proposed reform for the law on genetic engineering. The focus is the deregulation of plants grown using new genomic techniques (NGT1), which, in the future, should be considered legally on a par with plants grown naturally, or through conventional selection processes.
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Context
The main challenges to agriculture in South Tyrol include the reduction of pesticides and adaptation to the ongoing problem of climate change. As the South Tyrolean institute of reference for agriculture, the Laimburg Research Centre has set itself the aim of dealing with these challenges through experimentation and selection of new varieties of apples and grapes. These should be better able to withstand high temperatures and drought on the one hand, and on the other, more resistant to parasites, thereby permitting a significant reduction in the use of pesticides and increasing the sustainability of fruit and wine growing in South Tyrol.
In the past, varietal selection was based on traditional crossbreeding and selection methods. In the last few years, however, new genetic engineering techniques have come to the fore (New Breeding Technologies, or even New Genomic Techniques, NGT). These methods allow targeted modification of the genome for existing varieties, reducing times and costs. Unlike classic genetic engineering, on a genetic level the varieties obtained with NGT do not stand out from those obtained using conventional methods. For this reason, a large part of the science community agrees on the fact that these new techniques do not present any greater risks for people or the environment. Moreover, they can be used to rapidly increase the resilience of established varieties. As a result, it is believed that NGTs do not need to be regulated like classic genetic engineering, but they require specific regulations for easier growing, marketing and sale of the varieties developed in this way.
Crossbreeding, mutagenesis, classic genetic engineering and genome editing: the development varietal selection techniques
In this context, the terminology can be somewhat misleading. In the expression “green genomic technology”, the word “green” does not mean “organic” or “ecological”; what it does mean is the use of genomics in agriculture. This definition contrasts with “red genomic technology”, which is used in medicine and pharmaceuticals, with “white genomic technology” used in industrial environments, and “grey genomic technology” in environmental biotech.
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Neolithic period |
Variety selection dates back to shortly after the birth of agriculture, beginning with the selection of plants that, due to spontaneous mutations, presented beneficial characteristics. In this way, new plant varieties with specific properties were obtained, such as higher productivity, larger fruits, or seeds that were easier to handle. The selection and spread of these spontaneous mutations are permitted by EU regulations without the need for specific authorisations/authorisation procedures.
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Late 19th century |
In genetic improvement using conventional crossbreeding, the first thing to be defined is the selection, for example, of a better taste, a higher yield or a hardier plant. The next step is the selection of suitable parental varieties, which can be either two cultivated varieties or a cultivated variety and a related wild plant with the desirable traits. This is done in the hope that the desirable traits combine in the progeny. In crossbreeding, the genes are combined in a casual manner, making careful selection of progeny necessary, selecting those with the optimum combination of desirable traits. Conventional crossbreeding techniques are slow processes and in the case of the apple, can take as long as twenty years or more.
The micro-biological and diagnostic testing methods (marker-assisted selection) significantly improve this process, making the direct analysis of the progeny’s genotype possible. This means more efficient selection, without having to wait for the desired trait to reveal itself in the progeny. Genetic improvements using conventional crossbreeding are authorised in the EU without the need for specific regulatory processes. |
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1930s |
Induced gene mutation is a genetic enhancement technique in which there is no wait for the spontaneous occurrence of natural mutations, but seeds or plant organisms are treated with specific chemicals or radioactive radiation to trigger casual mutation. The disadvantage to this technique consists of the fact that, as well as desired mutations, there can also be some undesired ones. The effects of the latter are often unknown, and these mutations then need to be eliminated through complex backcross breeding operations. Under current regulations, varieties obtained through induced gene mutation are not considered genetically modified organisms (GMO) and can be grown in traditional and in part, in organic agriculture. Known examples: durum wheat for pasta, seedless watermelon, pink grapefruit, “Golden Haidegg” apples, and the majority of barley varieties currently grown are all the result of induced gene mutation.
Induced gene mutation is authorised in the EU without the need for specific regulatory processes. |
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Late 1970s |
Classic genetic engineering was developed towards the end of the 1970s. With this technique, selected genes, taken from different organisms, are transmitted to the plant with the aim of giving it the desired trains, such as, resistance to pathogens or herbicides. Numerous studies show that this technique makes it possible to significantly reduce the use of insecticides while maintaining high yields at the same time. The critical points in classic genetic engineering are:
In Europe, the cultivation and sale of genetically modified plants is regulated by a rigorous authorisation process. Based on a principle of precaution, it is necessary to demonstrate, using a broad spectrum of studies, from laboratory to field, that these organisms do not involve any risk to human or animal health or to the environment.
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2012 |
With Genome Editing (the so-called “molecular scissors” CRISPR/Cas) it is possible to induce single DNA mutation in a very precise, targeted manner, without the need to wait for these mutations to appear spontaneously. Thanks to this technology, established apple varieties or high-quality grape varieties can be made more resistant to apple scab or powdery mildew, contributing to a new, more sustainable crop production. Unlike traditional genetic engineering, the changes take place in specific points of the genome, and not in a casual manner. Moreover, no foreign gene is incorporated, but rather the mutation takes place in existing genes. Compared to genetic mutation with radioactive radiation, genome editing does not trigger involuntary alterations in the genome. At the same time, it makes it possible to accelerate the genetic improvement significantly when compared to conventional methods. It should be noted, however, that mutations induced by genome editing are not distinguishable from those occurring spontaneously in nature. This makes it difficult to trace and control the plants obtained using this technique. At the same time, it indicates that these mutations do not involve any higher risk than for those occurring in nature. For this reason, there is agreement in the scientific community on the fact that plants modified using genome editing must not be treated like conventional GMOs but rather, regulated by new guidelines.
Currently in the EU, the cultivation and sale of plants obtained through genome editing are subject to the same stringent authorisation procedure as traditional genetic engineering. Based on the principle of precaution, a wide body of studies, from laboratory to field, is needed to demonstrate the absence of harmful effects on people, animals and the environment.
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Proposed legal amendments
On 5 July 2023, the European Commission presented a proposed reform for the law on genetic engineering. The proposal is currently undergoing legislation design by the EU.
At the centre of the reform is the deregulation of plants grown using new genomic techniques (NGT1). This is based on the scientific evaluation that genetically modified plants do not involve greater risk for people or the environment compared to natural reproduction.
Effects of the reform
- Authorisation without special approval procedures, as per plants developed naturally or through genetic improvements with conventional crossbreeding processes;
- Fewer legislative boundaries to the research and development of new genetically modified plants.
- In the future, these plants and the foods or animal feeds produced using them will need to be entered in a public database, but no form of labelling will be necessary.
Issues that will be the subject of intense discussion within the sphere of the new directive:
- Transparency and freedom of choice for consumers will be limited, due to the lack of labelling on genetically modified plants.
- EU Member States will be obliged to implement these new standards with no possibility to prohibit the growing of new genetically modified plants in their territory.
There is the risk that large corporations will buy up patents and therefore, considerably increase the cost of seed, thereby penalising small and medium farms.
Research at the Laimburg Research Centre: independent and in line with the times
The aim of the research performed by the Laimburg Research Centre is to promote the farming of hardier plants, reducing the use of chemical pesticides, minimising lost yields linked to climate, and to contribute to sustainable food production.
It is important for us not to reject new genomic technologies out of hand, but to evaluate the opportunities for more sustainable fruit and wine growing. It is one of the many methods to make an important contribution to sustainable agriculture and therefore, should be studied objectively. As a research institute, we base our opinions on objective data, obtained with scientific methods.
Genome editing and other new selection methods are a central part of innovative genetic improvement strategies. They can boost the development of apple and grape varieties that are better suited to face climate challenges and reduce the use of pesticides. This way, they foster growing methods that respect the environment, which is the aim of the Laimburg Research Centre. Research into new genetic improvement methods is therefore an ideal part of the scope of “innovative farming methods” within our research priority, “Digital innovation and smart technologies”.
The existing network of regional and international partners supports the Laimburg Research Centre in its strategies for research into new methods of genetic improvement. Renowned research institutes, such as the E. Mach Foundation in Trentino, Agroscope in Switzerland, and the Julius-Kühn-Institute in Germany have been working for years on the development of new farming methods and are active in scientific exchanges with the Laimburg Research Centre.
As far as studies of new genetic improvement methods are concerned, the Laimburg Research Centre mainly focuses on increased resistance to much studied diseases, such as apple scab, and powdery mildew and downy mildew on grape vines. Attention has also been focused on reducing susceptibility to Glomerella leaf spot and increased tolerance to drought. Another important area of research is the further development of the Genome editing approach which still poses technical challenges for perennial crops such as apples and grapes.