b'PARTNER CONTENTCentral America, Model Regulatory System for CRISPR Genome Editing in the Agricultural SectorA gricultural seeds are essential, and with their genetic editing, a universe of opportunities has opened up for new seeds that contribute to the adaptation to climate change, to increase production and to improve food for a better quality of life. The challenge today is how to regulate genetically edited seeds.The process of genetic improvement traditionally relies on iden-tifying traits of interest and transferring them by pollination to com-mercial materials, or by inducing changes in the genome in a general way by means of tissue culture and the use of mutagenic agents such as ionizing radiation, UV light and chemical agents. These adjust-ments occur both in nature and by human intervention.In 2012, the discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 tool capable of locating and correcting hereditary material marked a milestone for humanity. In the agricultural sector even more so, because it is possible to eliminate, adjust or improve the traits of a crop in a precise way, and in much less time. The new techniques do not incorporate any additional genetic information, but rather adjust the genetics of the crop itself. It is for this reason that many of the legal norms that are emerging on this subject are based on the comparison with conventional breeding. The legal status of an edited seed depends on the establishedAlejandro Hernndez, Biotechnology Manager for Central America norms at the country level based on a process that determinesand the Caribbean, CropLife Latin Americaif the seed is a Living Modified Organism (LMO) or not. For Argentina, Australia, Colombia, Brazil and the United States, an edited seed is equivalent to a conventional one in the absence ofcally Modified Organisms (GMO) rule apply to genome-edited foreign DNA. plants. This led to an analysis and a proposal for a regulation in Central America applies the same legal logic, with the particu- 2023 where the equivalence of conventional breeding with certain larity that it has exemplary regulations due to its international ap- genome editing techniques is effectively recognized. proach and specific procedures. The Central American countriesBreeding based on genetic editing techniques is a reality. In are signatories to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety or Biologi- the U.S., you can find less-spicy mustard greens that look like let-cal Diversity Agreement, which defines a Living Modified Organ- tuce and stay fresh longer, and healthy, temperature-stable, high-ism (LMO) as any living organism that has a new combination ofoleic oil produced with new soybean varieties. In Japan, fortified genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnol- tomatoes that can lower blood pressure are available, and the ogy. The keywords for clarifying what an LMO is new combina- Philippines has authorized a banana that doesnt turn brown. tion of genetic material. Since genetically edited seeds do notProducts with better shelf life, better texture, cyanide-free cas-have combinations of genetic material, they are not consideredsava, rice with low arsenic content, low-cadmium cacao, gluten-LMOs. Furthermore, in Central America a new combination offree wheat, lectin-free soybeans, and low-caffeine coffee are just genetic material is defined as meaning a stable insertion of DNAsome of the possibilities of gene editing. Fortunately, the coun-that could not be obtained through conventional breeding or istries are adopting regulations that favor technical and scientific available in nature. This legal background provides a perspectiveanalysis, so that the new edited seeds can reach the farmer and for countries with regulations still under discussion and offers anthe consumer.international term for a science-based discussion. * CropLife Latin America is an international, non-profit trade An example of regulatory evolution is taking place in Europe,organization, made up of six companies and a network of 26 asso-where a Supreme Court ruling had mandated that the Geneti- ciations in 18 Latin American countries. www.croplifela.org'