Yes. As of early 2022 there are two gene edited products commercially available include soybeans, lettuce, and tomato. The first product, a high oleic soybean, was launched in 2019 and it was marketed in the Upper Midwest United States. In 2021, a gene-edited tomato was commercialized in Japan. The tomato contains high levels of gamma-aminobutyric […]
Are there any gene edited crops that are commercially available? Read More »
No. Plant breeding innovation is based on accumulated knowledge and experience over hundreds of years. Gene editing is an additional tool in the plant breeder’s toolbox that is used to generate genetic variation that is needed to develop new plant varieties with characteristics to address environmental and consumer needs. The development of newer plant breeding
Will newer gene editing methods make older plant breeding methods obsolete? Read More »
A strong intellectual property protection system fosters innovation because it rewards risk-taking and investment with a limited period of exclusive use, after which the product is in the public domain. Plant breeding innovation plays a key role in driving long-term agricultural productivity, rural development, and environmental sustainability by encouraging the creation of new solutions. The
Worldwide, many of the patent holders on latest plant breeding methods (such as CRISPR technologies) are universities and research institutes. The patent landscape for gene editing is dynamic and rapidly evolving in key countries and globally. Since the early days of CRISPR use, the number of patents describing these tools has increased. These patents originate
Who owns the patents on tools for plant breeding innovation? Read More »
In general, the latest plant breeding tools could be available to plant breeders through licensing, including those at academic and public research institutes, and companies of all sizes, from multinationals to small and medium-sized enterprises. The seed sector is encouraging the use of licensing platforms to promote the dissemination of knowledge and facilitate access to
Depending on national patent laws, the techniques and/or the characteristics resulting from gene editing may or may not be eligible for patents. Patentability criteria include novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. All patent rights are time limited and are published, they have geographical limitations and, while some countries do not permit breeding with plants containing
How can patents on plants made with gene editing affect plant breeding? Read More »
Intellectual property protection rights are equally applicable to varieties developed using conventional methods or plant breeding innovation like gene editing. Therefore, the ability for farmers to save seeds of a variety, will depend on the variety’s IP protection status and the national legal framework.
The foundation of variety identification for plant variety protection is based on phenotypical characteristics and therefore genetic sequence information or molecular markers may not automatically be available or used in variety protection. Additionally, the genetic information when used in supporting plant variety protection is not necessarily associated with specific sequence change that may or may
A growing number of countries have policies based on an overarching principle that plants resulting from latest breeding methods with genetic changes comparable to the outcomes that could occur spontaneously in nature or via traditional breeding are not differentially regulated from traditionally bred plants. These countries follow the generally accepted legal principle of non-discrimination, so
Are products of plant breeding innovation regulated? Read More »
ISF believes that alignment around the scope of regulatory oversight for gene edited products is critical to fostering innovation and competitiveness. A key component of government evaluations is the intent of their current legislative frameworks and with this the interpretation of their GMO or other associated definitions. Most countries are considering how or if these
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