b'CANADA WONTMENDEL PERKINS and Petra Jorasch live with that reality every day as they wade through regulations surrounding gene editing.Perkins serves as lead scientist for Calgary-based AgGene REGULATE GENEwhile Jorasch works as manager of plant breeding innovation advocacy for Euroseeds. On a recent episode of Seed Speaks, both helped shed light on the enormous political implications of gene editing on the political sphere.EDITING LIKE ITPerkins remarked on the recent significant changes in Canadas gene editing regulations, which took years to craft and which the seed industry waited for with bated breath.DOES GM. THEEarlier this year, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) provided clarity on how it would regulate gene editing, stating that it would not be subject to the same regulations as EU MIGHT SOONgenetically modified organisms (GMOs).Perkins emphasized the importance of this decision for researchers, businesses, and investors, as it allows them to proceed with confidence in their projects. Canadas approach FOLLOW SUIT focuses on the characteristics of the end products rather than the technology used to create them. This is a sensible way to regulate, as it fosters ongoing innovation, accommodates new gene editing tools, and aligns with decades of safe and effective How can something microscopic can have suchuse of technology, he said.The recent clarity provided by Health Canada and the big effects on the political world?Marc Zienkiewicz Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been a game-changer for us. It has not only given us the confidence to push forward with our work but has also garnered support and confidence from the investment community, he says.The regulatory framework in Canada places significant emphasis on evaluating the end results of the gene editing process, specifically focusing on the characteristics of food products and animal feed, as well as potential risks. Notably, these regulations adopt a process-agnostic approach, meaning they do not overly concern themselves with the specific tech-nologies used but rather concentrate on assessing the safety and attributes of the final products.From our vantage point, this approach appears to be a rea-sonable way to regulate the field for several reasons. It is rooted in a history of safe and effective use of genetic technologies and recombinant DNA techniques in the Canadian market, Perkins added.12GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2024'