b'FIGURE 2: WORLDWIDE DEVELOPMENT OF GENOME-EDITED CROPS400350300250200150100500China USA EU Japan SouthUK India AustraliaKoreaEU-SAGEThe first genome-edited crops have1). This clearly demonstrates that genome entered the market and many more are in theediting has been used to develop crops with process of commercialisation (JRC report,benefits for producers and consumers. 2021) [https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ Most of the genome-edited crops were repository/handle/JRC123830]. To facili- generated in China and the U.S.; however, tate a more comprehensive understandingresearch and development using genome on the use of genome editing, EU-SAGEediting techniques occurs worldwide developed an interactive, publicly accessi- (Figure 2). In the EU, the highest number ble online database [ https://www.eu-sage. of applications originate from research in eu/genome-search ] of genome-edited cropGermany and France. However, under plants as described in peer-reviewed sci- the current EU legislation, all crop vari-entific publications. The aim of the data- eties obtained through NGTs are subject base is to transparently inform interestedto strict GMO regulations. The political stakeholder communities, including civilindecisiveness in the GMO authoriza-society, about the most up-to-date evidencetion process de facto prevents the EU from of genome editing in crops. Different ele- Oana Dima is Executive Manager of the using and cultivating genome edited crops. ments including the plant species, traits,EU-SAGE network and Science Policy ManagerIt is worth noting, however, that most of techniques, and applications can be filteredat the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) the genome editing applications are small in this open access database. genetic changes that belong to the SDN1 Peer-reviewed articles, screened forcategory and are referred to as "targeted relevance, are included in the databasemutagenesis" by the Commission.based on pre-defined criteria. The maindatabase. Interestingly, genome editingThe research studies in the database criterium is that the research article shouldhas been used in 65 different crops. Thedemonstrate the potential of genome editing describe a research study of any crop plantmain crops of interest appear to be rice,to improve crop yield and quality, as well as in which a trait has been introduced that istomato, maize, soybean, wheat, canola,to render agriculture more sustainable and relevant from an agricultural and/or food/ and potato. In addition, the database revealsclimate resilient. However, the ongoing feed perspective. The database gives nothat genome editing has been also used topolicy developments in Europe will be cru-information on the stage of development ofimprove minor and even orphan crops.cial in determining how genome editing in the crop plant, nor whether the intentionThe majority of introduced traits fallplant breeding can effectively contribute to exists to develop the described crop plantsinto three categories: improving the qual- building a greener future. The EU-SAGE to be marketed. EU-SAGE is committed toity of plants for food and feed produc- network will continue to provide up-to-date regularly updating the database with newtion, improving agronomic traits relatedinformation about the progress of genome research studies. to plant yield and growth to sustain pro- editing applications in plants. As a society, More than 750 genome editing appli- ductivity, and reducing pre-harvest losseswe need to encourage open dialogue and cations in crops have been compiled in theand improving disease resistance (Figureevidence-based decision-making.34ISEED WORLD EUROPEIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'