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News10th May 2022

New public dialogue to explore views on genome editing in farmed animals

Together with BBSRC-UKRI and Sciencewise, we are delighted to announce a new public dialogue on genome editing in farmed animals.
Food and agricultureGenomicsResearch involving animals

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC – part of UK Research and Innovation, UKRI) and the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, with the support of UKRI’s Sciencewise programme, are delighted to announce a new public dialogue on genome editing in farmed animals.

Genome editing – known commonly as ‘gene editing’ – is the precise, targeted, alteration of a DNA sequence in a living cell. It enables changes to the genome – which aim to secure certain physical traits in new generations of farmed animals – to be made much faster and with greater precision than other types of genetic technologies, or through traditional breeding methods.

In the UK, genome editing techniques are not currently used in breeding animals that are sold for food, but research in this area is well advanced, and some genome edited animals have already been approved for consumption in other parts of the world. Several research groups have successfully demonstrated the use of the techniques to make functional changes to animals’ genomes, without any apparent adverse effects.

This public dialogue has been commissioned jointly by BBSRC, Nuffield Council on Bioethics and Sciencewise. It will be overseen by an advisory group chaired by Sarah Mukherjee MBE, CEO of the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment, and former BBC Environment Correspondent. The dialogue follows the publication of a major Nuffield Council on Bioethics report on the social and ethical issues associated with genome editing and farmed animal breeding in December 2021. Given the strong public interest in food technologies, this report strongly recommended early, open, and informed dialogue with the public in anticipation of genome editing being introduced into the food and farming system. It is expected that the outcomes of this summer’s public dialogue will help to shape responsible research and innovation pathways as the technologies develop.

Basis Social have been appointed to deliver this public dialogue following a competitive tender process. The dialogue is expected to involve around 80 members of the public and will take place between May and July. A report of the findings will be published in September.

Professor Melanie Welham, Executive Chair of BBSRC, said:

BBSRC is pleased to be supporting new public dialogue in this crucial policy area. The UK has outstanding expertise in animal bioscience, and we welcome the opportunity to have a wide-ranging public dialogue which will enable a deeper exploration of views and help inform associated policies.

Danielle Hamm, Director, Nuffield Council on Bioethics, said:

As the Government considers next steps for regulation of genetic breeding technologies, there is a real opportunity now to ensure that policy making in this area is aligned with public interests. Last year, Basis Social worked with us on a rapid dialogue to help identify public hopes and fears about these technologies, which fed into our influential report ‘Genome editing and farmed animal breeding: ethical and social issues’. We are pleased to be taking forward this debate with UKRI-BBSRC and Sciencewise, and working with Basis Social again, to further explore public perspectives on the future of our food and farming system.

Tom Saunders, Head of Public Engagement, UKRI, said:

Gene editing technology has the potential to transform food production and food security, but there are important trade-offs to consider if it is to be widely used. This Sciencewise public dialogue is an important opportunity for diverse groups to engage with and influence this area of policy, and to ensure the direction of travel aligns with public, as well as stakeholder priorities.

Darren Bhattachary, CEO, Basis Social, said:

People have a keen interest in food and farming, and the values that underpin it. Understanding the potential role of genome editing in farmed animals is a rich and fascinating area for public debate. We’re really looking forward to working with BBSRC, Nuffield Council on Bioethics and Sciencewise on this next stage in the dialogue process, to help shape future policy in this area.

–ENDS–

NOTES TO EDITORS

Public dialogue: commissioning organisations

UK Government proposals for regulatory reform of genome edited organisms  

In 2021 the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) consulted on plans to amend the regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), to take some genome edited organisms out of the scope of retained EU regulatory requirements for GMOs. This will be given effect under the proposed Precision Breeding Bill announced in the Queens speech. The Government indicated it would give careful consideration to the distinctive ethical questions that arise in relation to animal welfare before changes affecting animal breeding are made. It is expected that the outcomes of this public dialogue will help to inform and shape the debate around regulatory reform.

Previous rapid online dialogue

A previous rapid online dialogue – commissioned by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics and completed in summer 2021 – indicated that there are a number of outstanding questions which must be explored with members of the public, including: