Sunday Evening News 436 - Week 32 - 2025


Weekly report on genetic engineering, genome editing, biotechnology and legal regulation.


August 2025-08-04 - August 2025-08-10



We are not only responsible for what we do,

 but also, for what we accept without protest.

 

  


                                                                          

The variation:

We are not only responsible for what we do,

but also, for what we fail to do.

                                                                                                                                                                        Autor unknown

Reminder: Goodman, R. E. (2024). Twenty-eight years of GM Food and feed without harm: why not accept them?

GM Crops & Food, 15(1), 40–50. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645698.2024.2305944

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21645698.2024.2305944#abstract

 

Monoclonal antibodies: a revolution in science and health

The story of this invention 50 years ago shows how the free exchange of ideas can lead to life-changing treatments. Nature 644, 305 (2025)

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02452-7.pdf

___________________________________________________________________


Am 01.September 2025 hat die EFSA in Nikolaus Kriz einen neuen geschäftsführenden Direktor.

 

Diese Woche hat die EFSA die Sicherheitsbewertungen für die gv-Baumwolle GHB614xLLCotton 25 und den gv-Mais T25 veröffentlicht. Die Sicherheitsbewertungen sind für die Erneuerung der bestehenden Zulassung zum Import als Lebens- und Futtermittel notwendig.


Ebenso hat die EFSA bzw. das GVO-Panel Stellungnahmen zu Anwendungen neuer molekularbiologischen Techniken bei Tieren und zur Expression neuer Proteine bei Pflanzen veröffentlicht.


Sie sollten ihre Meinung/Stellungnahme zu dem EU-Biotech-Act abgeben (s. Gabrielczyk T.)


Unter den Publikationen empfehle ich Brara et al. (2025) und Fraiture M.-A. et al. (2025) zu Nachweisverfahren von gv-Produkten.

 

ESFA: On September 1, 2025, Nikolaus Kriz will become the new Executive Director of EFSA.


This week, EFSA published its safety assessments for GM cotton GHB614xLLCotton 25 and GM maize T25. The safety assessments are necessary for the renewal of the existing authorization for import as food and feed.


EFSA and the GMO Panel also published opinions on the use of new molecular biological techniques in animals and the expression of new proteins in plants.


You should submit your opinion/statement on the EU Biotech Act (see Gabrielczyk T.).


Among the publications, I recommend Brara et al. (2025) and Fraiture M.-A. et al. (2025) on detection methods for GM products.

______________________________________________________


Meetings – Conferences / Treffen - Veranstaltungen


Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Convention: 30.09. -01.10.2025 Congress Center Hamburg

https://www.inhouse-farming.com/de/feed-food-convention


Workshop on EFSA’s genotoxicity guidance revision for food and feed safety assessment

3 November 2025, 14.00 - 18.00 (CET), 4 November 2025, 09.00 - 17.30 (CET), Brussels, Belgium

https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/events/workshop-efsas-genotoxicity-guidance-revision-food-and-feed-safety-assessment

 

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettwissenschaft e.V. -DGF Jahrestagung 2025. XXl H.P. Kaufmann Tage

20.11.2025-21.11.2025, Hamburg

https://veranstaltungen.gdch.de/microsite/index.cfm?l=11908&sp_id=1


Press Releases - Media / Presse- und Medienberichte


Nikolaus Kriz wird neuer Direktor der EFSA

https://www.sozialministerium.gv.at/Services/Aktuelles/Archiv-2025/efsa.html


Testbiotech: Warum Pflanzen aus Neuer Gentechnik nicht dereguliert werden dürfen

https://www.testbiotech.org/publikation/warum-pflanzen-aus-neuer-gentechnik-nicht-dereguliert-werden-duerfen/

 

Hissting A.: Kennzeichnung ist machbar, auch für Neue Gentechnik

https://background.tagesspiegel.de/agrar-und-ernaehrung/briefing/kennzeichnung-ist-machbar-auch-fuer-neue-gentechnik

 

Gabrielczyk T.: EU Biotech Act: Have your say!

https://european-biotechnology.com/latest-news/eu-biotech-act-have-your-say/

 

Dvorkis T., Roland Scarlett R.: UK and EU Regulatory Divergence in Food Law: Challenges and Opportunities Post-Brexit

https://www.fieldfisher.com/en/insights/uk-and-eu-regulatory-divergence-in-food-challenges

 

Steele M.: More detail on gene tech regulations to come, as industry mulls opportunities

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/569452/more-detail-on-gene-tech-regulations-to-come-as-industry-mulls-opportunities

 

Steele M.: Labelling rules ease for genetically-modified food made without new DNA added, amid reform

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/569082/labelling-rules-ease-for-genetically-modified-food-made-without-new-dna-added-amid-reform

 

Meshaka D.: Le lobby scientifique s’invite dans le trilogue sur la déréglementation des OGM/NTG

https://infogm.org/le-lobby-scientifique-sinvite-dans-le-trilogue-sur-la-dereglementation-des-ogm-ntg/

 

Only some selected press releases or media reports are listed here. The daily up-date of the press releases

and media reports are ►here: August week 32

Publications – Publikationen


Peri, I., Consentino, F., Grasso, A. et al. (2025): Integrating societal concern into an EU regulatory proposal for new

genomic techniques in food crops using association rules. Agric & Food Secur 14, 18 | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-025-00539-y

Ensuring global food security is an increasingly complex challenge, prompting researchers and the agri-food industry to explore biotechnological solutions. Over the past decade, New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) have transformed plant breeding by enhancing yields, disease resistance, and climate adaptability. Despite these innovations, NGTs remain regulated under the same framework as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), while the European Union (EU) seeks to establish an alternative regulatory approach. Advances in agricultural biotechnology present complex challenges, involving a wide range of stakeholders, conflicting opinions, and vast amounts of information. As part of the regulatory review process for NGTs, the European Commission (EC) launched a public consultation in 2022 to support the revision of existing regulations. This study applies Association Rule Mining (ARM) to analyze the consultation’s key concerns and policy preferences. Stakeholders—including industry representatives, environmental organizations, scientists, and citizens—have voiced differing opinions. ARM enables the identification of recurring patterns in their responses, highlighting three key themes: sustainability, risk assessment, and transparency. Some consider sustainability an inherent advantage of NGTs, while others view it as irrelevant or as a justification for stricter regulations. Risk assessment and transparency are widely recognized as essential but approached differently—some downplay their importance, while others advocate for more stringent oversight. Additionally, a strategic neutral stance emerges, with certain stakeholders prioritizing risk assessment and transparency without expressing a position on sustainability. The new sustainability-driven regulatory framework may face resistance from those demanding more in-depth evaluations before recognizing NGTs as a sustainable solution. Finally, this paper discusses critical issues related to public consultation processes, highlighting challenges and opportunities in shaping an inclusive and effective regulatory framework.

https://agricultureandfoodsecurity.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40066-025-00539-y

 

Brara Z., Madani K., Costa J., Taouzinet L. et al.: (2025): Current Progress on the Detection of Genetically Modified Organisms

in Food: From Transgenic Towards Genome-Edited Crops. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety  24 (5), e70243 | https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1541-4337.70243

Progresses in biotechnology, particularly the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and, more recently, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas-mediated genome editing, have revolutionized agriculture, prompting the need for robust food-labeling regulations. To meet the GMO legislation requirements, analytical methods for the reliable detection of GMO in food, based either on DNA or protein markers, have been constantly proposed. DNA-based methods relying on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technologies are the most popular for this purpose, with real-time PCR being the gold standard for GMO quantification. Lately, digital PCR has proved to be a suitable alternative to real-time PCR. The development of rapid, low-cost, user-friendly, and field-deployable tools to quickly generate data on the presence of GMO is crucial, especially with the rapid increase in their complexity and the number of events entering the food market. In this context, alternative technologies based on isothermal amplification and genosensors have emerged. The immunochemical assays in the formats of microtiter plates, lateral flow devices, and immunosensors still occupy a relevant role in GMO detection. Finally, next generation sequencing technologies stand up as tools to face the challenges of detecting unauthorized GMO and genome-edited crops. This review intends to provide a comprehensive overview on the methodologies available for the detection, identification, and quantification of GMO, including gene-edited mutants in foods, while discussing their advantages and limitations, with focus on the latest advances.

https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1541-4337.70243

 

Fraiture M.-A., D'aes J., Gobbo A, Delvoye M. et al. (2025): Genetic fingerprints derived from genome database mining allow

accurate identification of genome-edited rice in the food chain via targeted high-throughput sequencing

Food Research International, 117218 | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2025.117218

Genome-edited (GE) organisms are currently classified as GMOs according to European legislation, requiring traceability and labelling in the food and feed supply chain. However, unambiguous identification of a specific GE organism with one or more induced single nucleotide variations (SNVs) dispersed across the genome remains challenging. This study explored whole-genome sequencing-based characterization, public genome databases, and machine learning tools to select key genetic elements and create a unique fingerprint for distinguishing a specific GE line. As a case study, a GE Nipponbare rice line containing a single CRISPR-Cas-induced SNV was used. To experimentally assess the detection of this fingerprint, a targeted high-throughput sequencing approach, including multiplex PCR-based enrichment of key genetic elements, was developed and successfully tested. This promising proof-of-concept demonstrates the potential of combining a unique genetic fingerprint with targeted high-throughput sequencing to facilitate the accurate detection of GE organisms, thereby supporting food traceability and regulatory compliance for the development of new GE lines, as well as protecting associated intellectual property.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096399692501556X

 

de Andrés-Sánchez J., Puelles-Gallo M., Souto-Romero M., Arias-Oliva M. (2025): Drivers of genetically modified food

acceptance in members of generations Z and Y: Insights from a theory of planned behavior framework. Food and Humanity 5, 100703 | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foohum.2025.100703

Genetically modified food (GMF), which emerged in the mid-1990s, have enabled the development of more affordable, sustainable products with enhanced characteristics compared to their conventional counterparts. However, their consumption in European Union countries such as Spain remains limited. This paper develops a model based on the theory of planned behavior to explain the behavioral intention (BI) to use GMF, considering perceived value (PV), perceived usefulness (PU), perceived risk (PR), food neophobia (NPH), social influence (SI), gender, and age. Subsequently, it is tested in a sample of zoomers (members of Generation Z) and millennials (members of the Generation Y). Structural equation modeling reveals that PV, PU, SI, and belonging to Generation Z (GENZ) have a significantly positive influence on BI, while PR has a negative impact. Additionally, quantile regressions confirm that PU and SI are the most influential variables, as they maintain a consistent positive impact in the analyzed quantiles. The influence of PV, PR, and GENZ also remained consistent in sign in all quantile regressions. However, while PV and PR showed significant coefficients in most percentiles, GENZ was significant only at the extremes of the BI range. In a nutshell, PU and SI are the strongest positive predictors of behavioral intention, while PR acts as a consistent deterrent. Members of generation Z show higher predisposition toward GMF acceptance, particularly at the extremes of BI. The results of the analysis have various practical implications for the successful implementation of GMF, which are discussed in this study.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949824425002071

 

Meissle, M., Naranjo, S. E., & Romeis, J. (2025): Meta-analysis on effects of Bt-maize on nontarget invertebrates – Data

transportability across continents. Plants, People, Planet, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.70081

Societal impact statement: Maize varieties producing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have become an important component of integrated pest management worldwide. Forregulatory approval of such plants, risks to the environment need to be assessed. Tomake such assessments less expensive and time-consuming, conclusions drawn from data collected in one region could be used in regulatory submissions in other regions. By comparing published data of invertebrates recorded in Bt maize field experiments worldwide, we contribute to the discussion of data transportability across continents. The results are of value to regulatory authorities throughout the world and ultimatelyf benefit to growers and consumers.

Summary: For insecticidal crops, adverse effects on non-target invertebrates including bene-ficial decomposers, predators, and parasitoids are of particular concern. This work focuses on data transportability across continents by comparing non-target invertebrate data from published Bt maize field studies.

Data derived from a comprehensive global database were summarized for taxonomic composition and subjected to meta-analyses considering taxonomy, Bt maize target insect order, and ecological functional group. Each dataset represent a replicated comparison of an invertebrate population recorded in Bt maize with the respective population in non-Bt (control) maize.

Taxonomic composition at order or higher taxonomic level was comparable across continents. Meta-analyses revealed that most analyzed invertebrates were equally abundant in Bt and non-Bt maize, while robust adverse effects were only observed on specialized parasitoids of target pests. The conclusions drawn from the North American data were confirmed for Europe and Asia.

The similarity of species communities at order level as well as outcomes of meta-analyses across continents indicate that conclusions from field studies are generally transportable across geographies. High-quality, well-designed, well-described, and independent studies from multiple locations and years, and open-access data availability (transparency), increase trust in the conclusions drawn and the usefulness for submissions to multiple regulatory systems.

https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ppp3.70081

 

Chao Sun C., Li H., Liu Y., Li Y. et al. (2025): Iterative recombinase technologies for efficient and precise genome

engineering across kilobase to megabase scales. Cell, 2025; DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.07.011

Genome editing technologies face challenges in achieving precise, large-scale DNA manipulations in higher organisms, including inefficiency, limited editing scales and types, and the retention of undesired sequences such as recombination sites (“scars”). Here, we present programmable chromosome engineering (PCE) and RePCE, two programmable chromosome editing systems enabling scarless kilobase-to-megabase DNA manipulations in plants and human cells. Through high-throughput engineering, we obtained Lox sites with a 10-fold reduced reversibility and applied an AI-assisted recombinase engineering method (AiCErec) to generate Cre variants with 3.5 times the recombination efficiency of the wild type. Incorporation of a Re-pegRNA-mediated scar-free strategy further enhanced editing precision, allowing scarless insertions, deletions, replacements, inversions, and translocations at the chromosomal level. Key applications include a 315-kb inversion in rice conferring herbicide resistance, scarless chromosome fusions, and a 12-Mb inversion at human disease-related sites. These advances significantly broaden the scope of genome editing applications in molecular breeding, therapeutic development, and synthetic biology.

https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(25)00800-1?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0092867425008001%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

 

Vera A.O., Truex N.L., Sreekanth V, +2 , and Raines R.T. (2025): Protective antigen–mediated delivery of an anti-CRISPR

protein for precision genome editing, PNAS 122 (32),  e2426960122 | https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2426960122

Precise control over the dosage of Cas9-based technologies is essential because off-target effects, mosaicism, chromosomal aberrations, immunogenicity, and genotoxicity can arise with prolonged Cas9 activity. Type II anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) inhibit and control Cas9 but are generally impermeable to the cell membrane due to their size and anionic charge. Moreover, existing Acr delivery methods are long-lived and operate within hours (e.g., viral and nonviral vectors) or require external devices (e.g., electroporation), limiting therapeutic applications. To address these problems, we developed a protein-based anti-CRISPR delivery platform, LFN-Acr/PA, which delivers Acrs into cells within minutes. LFN-Acr/PA is a nontoxic, two-component protein system derived from anthrax toxin, where protective antigen (PA) proteins bind receptors widespread in human cells, forming a pH-triggered endosomal pore that an engineered Acr (LFN-Acr) binds and uses to enter the cell. In the presence of PA, LFN-Acr enters human cells (e.g., immortalized cell lines, embryonic stem cells, and 3D cell cultures) at concentrations as low as 2.5 pM to inhibit up to 95% of Cas9-mediated knockout, knock-in, transcriptional activation, and base editing. Timing LFN-Acr delivery reduces off-target base editing and increases Cas9 specificity by 41%. LFN-Acr/PA is the most potent known cell-permeable CRISPR-Cas inhibition system, significantly improving the utility of CRISPR for genome editing.

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2426960122

 

Wu, J., Ma, S., Niu, J. et al. (2025): Genomics-driven discovery of superior alleles and genes for yellow rust resistance in

wheat. Nat Genet | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02259-2

Yellow rust (YR), caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, poses a significant threat to wheat production worldwide. Breeding resistant cultivars is crucial for managing this disease. However, our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying YR resistance remains fragmented. To address this, we conducted a comprehensive analysis with variome data from 2,191 wheat accessions worldwide and over 47,000 YR response records across several environments and pathogen races. Through genome-wide association studies, we established a landscape of 431 YR resistance loci, providing a rich resource for resistance gene deployment. Furthermore, we cloned genes corresponding to three resistance loci, namely Yr5x (effective against several P. striiformis f. sp. tritici races), Yr6/Pm5 (conferred resistance to two pathogen species) and YrKB (TaEDR2-B; conferring broad-spectrum rust resistance without yield penalty). These findings offer valuable insights into the genetic basis of YR resistance in wheat and lay the foundation for engineering wheat with durable disease resistance.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02259-2

 

Dhakal A., Cruz M., Loaiza K., Cuasquer J. et al. (2025): Implementing marker covariates and multi‐trait genomic selection

models to improve grain milling, appearance, cooking, and edible quality in rice (Oryza sativa L.), The Plant Genome  DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.70068

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food for over half of the world's population. With population growth, socioeconomic changes, and shifting consumer lifestyles, the demand for high-quality rice has surged. Understanding consumer preferences for rice quality traits is crucial for breeders to effectively address evolving market needs. Rice breeding programs assess various quality aspects, including grain shape, appearance, milling efficiency, and cooking and eating qualities. Molecular-based approaches like marker-assisted selection and genomic selection (GS) offer promising opportunities to enhance breeding efficiency. In this study, our goal was to build upon our previous findings and improve the predictive ability of GS for primary grain milling and cooking and eating quality traits by incorporating trait marker covariates and highly heritable, high-throughput secondary traits in multi-trait genomic selection strategies (MT-GS). By including amylose content and gelatinization temperature functional markers as covariates in GS models, we improved the predictive ability for primary cooking and eating traits from 21% to 44%. Additionally, integrating secondary traits into MT-GS increased the predictive ability for milling quality traits from 13.5% to 18% and for cooking and eating traits from 4.6% to 50%. Overall, our study demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating whole-genome markers, trait markers, and secondary trait information to enhance the predictive ability of GS for grain milling, cooking, and eating qualities in rice.

https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/tpg2.70068

 

Luo, X., Dou, Y., Lang, Y. et al. (2025): CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of carotenoid biosynthesis genes alters carotenoid

concentrations in kiwifruit. BMC Plant Biol 25, 1056 | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07112-6

Background: CRISPR/Cas9 technology has garnered increasing attention for its simplicity and precision in genome editing, making it an indispensable tool for gene function research and crop genetic improvement. However, the inefficiency and time-consuming nature of genetic transformation continue to pose substantial challenges to its widespread application in woody plants.

Results: In this study, we developed a rapid and efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system using petioles as explants for kiwifruit. Positive resistant seedlings were obtained within three months by inoculating on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg·L−1 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), 0.2 mg·L−1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 10 mg·L−1 hygromycin, which was faster than using leaves as explants. Using this system, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of phytoene desaturase (AcPDS) and ζ-carotene desaturase (AcZDS) achieved an editing efficiency of 20%. Transgenic kiwifruit lines with edited AcZDS exhibited a significant reduction in carotenoid content.

Conclusions: Overall, we established an efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system using petioles as explants, which is applicable for CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing in kiwifruit, thereby facilitating functional gene studies and genetic improvement

https://bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12870-025-07112-6

 

Wu, S., Sun, H., Zhao, X. et al. (2025): Phased chromosome-level assembly provides insight into the genome architecture

of hexaploid sweetpotato. Nat. Plants | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-025-02079-6

The hexaploid sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.) is a globally important stable crop that plays a key role in biofortification. Its high resilience and adaptability provide distinct advantages in addressing food security and climate challenges. Here we report a haplotype-resolved chromosome-level genome assembly of an African cultivar, ‘Tanzania’, revealing mosaic genomic origins along haplotype-phased chromosomes. The wild tetraploid I. aequatoriensis, currently found in coastal Ecuador, contributes to a substantial fraction of the sweetpotato genome. Another large proportion of the genome shows a closer genetic relationship to the wild tetraploid I. batatas 4×, distributed in Central America. The sequences contributed by different wild species are not distributed in typical subgenomes but are intertwined along chromosomes, possibly owing to the known non-preferential recombination among sweetpotato haplotypes. This study improves our understanding of sweetpotato origin and genome architecture and provides valuable genomic resources to accelerate sweetpotato breeding.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-025-02079-6

 

Zrimec J., Correa S., Zagorščak M., +6 , and Nikoloski Z. (2025): Evaluating plant growth–defense trade-offs by modeling the

interaction between primary and secondary metabolism, PNAS 122 (32) e2502160122 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2502160122

Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind plant response to stress can enhance breeding strategies and help us design crop varieties with improved stress tolerance, yield, and quality. To investigate resource redistribution from growth- to defense-related processes in an essential tuber crop, potato, here we generate a large-scale compartmentalized genome-scale metabolic model (GEM), potato-GEM. Apart from a large-scale reconstruction of primary metabolism, the model includes the full known potato secondary metabolism, spanning over 566 reactions that facilitate the biosynthesis of 182 distinct potato secondary metabolites. Constraint-based modeling identifies that the activation of the largest amount of secondary (defense) pathways occurs at a decrease of the relative growth rate of potato leaf, due to the costs incurred by defense. We then obtain transcriptomics data from experiments exposing potato leaves to two biotic stress scenarios, a herbivore and a viral pathogen, and apply them as constraints to produce condition-specific models. We show that these models recapitulate experimentally observed decreases in relative growth rates under treatment as well as changes in metabolite levels between treatments, enabling us to pinpoint the metabolic rewiring underlying growth–defense trade-offs. Potato-GEM thus presents a useful resource to study and broaden our understanding of potato and general plant defense responses under stress conditions.

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2502160122

 

The unbearable self-indulgence of Europe

There are five luxuries it can no longer feasibly afford

https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/05/01/the-unbearable-self-indulgence-of-europe (pdf-file available)

 

Palmer A.C.: (2025): Golden Rice: A Quarter-Century of Innovation, Challenges, and the Promise of Better Nutrition.

The Journal of Nutrition | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.06.025

Golden Rice was first introduced to the scientific community and the wider public 25 y ago and arguably remains the most widely recognized biofortified crop. Unlike most staples, the provitamin A carotenoid biosynthetic pathway is absent in the grain of all known rice cultivars. Scientists therefore relied on modern biotechnology to introduce 2 transgenes that enabled carotenoid production and accumulation, with 80%–90% as β-carotene. The second generation of Golden Rice, incorporating genes from maize and a common soil bacterium, can produce 20–30 μg of β-carotene per gram of edible rice. Although carotenoid levels decline in storage, they remain high enough to contribute meaningfully to vitamin A intake. After its initial development, Golden Rice technology was transferred to public sector breeding programs in low- and middle-income countries, prioritizing Bangladesh and the Philippines due to prevalent vitamin A deficiency, high per capita rice consumption, strong agricultural research institutes, and prior experience with transgenic crops. Both countries have developed locally adapted Golden Rice varieties matching conventional rice in agronomic performance, cultivation practices, and cost. However, regulatory hurdles have stalled their release—approval remains pending in Bangladesh, whereas legal challenges in the Philippines have at least temporarily halted further research and deployment. Although recent data indicate a decline in the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in the Philippines, rural populations remain vulnerable, and Golden Rice has the potential to serve as a safety net to achieve adequate vitamin A intake.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022316625004146  (pdf-file available)

 

Dubock, A. (2025): Nutrition, Rice, and Public Health: Perspectives on Ameliorating Vitamin A and Other Micronutrient

Deficiencies in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, With Golden Rice as an Example. Nutrition Today | 10.1097/NT.0000000000000761

White rice is the staple crop in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It must be polished for storage and has very small amounts of vitamins and no pro–vitamin A (beta-carotene). People in LMICs often consume huge amounts of rice, and many people little else. Vitamin A deficiency and other micronutrient deficiencies, including iron, zinc, and folate, are common as a result. Micronutrient supplements and chemical fortification by adding micronutrients during the processing of foods have both undoubtedly reduced micronutrient malnutrition. However, both are unsustainable due to processing, packaging, and distribution costs. After decades of the use of these strategies, micronutrient deficiencies remain high in LMICs. Biofortification is an additional method of ameliorating micronutrient deficiencies. The earliest example, Golden Rice, has great potential, by itself and as a carrier for other biofortified micronutrients. However, unwarranted suspicions of the technology, and the motivations for using it, have significantly delayed progress. Nutritionists and development professionals need to appreciate that the suspicions around biofortification of crops hinder the ability to deliver public health for the poorest of human society.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/392023753_Nutrition_Rice_and_Public_Health_Perspectives_on_Ameliorating_Vitamin_A_and_Other_Micronutrient_Deficiencies_in_Low-_and_Middle-Income_Countries_With_Golden_Rice_as_an_Example/link/6831dece026fee1034fb2ead/download?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIn19   (pdf-file available)

 

Eckerstorfer M.F., Dolezel M., Miklau M., Greiter A., Heissenberger A. et al. (2025): Environmental applications of GM

microorganisms: Tiny critters posing huge challenges for risk assessment and governance. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 26(7), 3174 | https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073174

In recent years, the interest in developing genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs), including GMMs developed by genome editing, for use in the environment has significantly increased. However, the scientific knowledge on the ecology of such GMMs is severely limited. There is also little experience at the hands of regulators on how to evaluate the environmental safety of GMMs and on how to assess whether they provide sustainable alternatives to current (agricultural) production systems. This review analyzes two different GMM applications, GM microalgae for biofuel production and nitrogen-fixing GM soil bacteria for use as biofertilizers. We assess the challenges posed by such GMMs for regulatory environmental risk assessment (ERA) against the background of the GMO legislation existing in the European Union (EU). Based on our analysis, we present recommendations for ERA and the monitoring of GMM applications, and in particular for the improvement of the existing EU guidance. We also explore whether existing approaches for technology assessment can provide a framework for the broader assessment of GMM applications. To this end, we recommend developing and implementing an evidence-based sustainability analysis and other methods of technology assessment to support decision making and to address broader societal concerns linked to the use of GMM applications in the environment.

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/7/3174

 

EFSA


GMO Panel (2025): Assessment of genetically modified T25 maize for renewal authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003

 (dossier GMFF-2024-22651). EFSA Journal, 23(8), e9570. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9570

https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9570

 

GMO Panel (2025): Assessment of genetically modified cotton GHB614 × LLCotton25 for renewal authorisation under regulation (EC)

No 1829/2003 (dossier GMFF-2024-21890). EFSA Journal, 23(8), e9572. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9572

https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9572

 

GMO Panel (2025): New developments in biotechnology applied to animals: An assessment of the adequacy and sufficiency of current

EFSA guidance for animal risk assessment. EFSA Journal, 23(8), e9566. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9566

https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9566

 

GMO Panel (2025): Current practice, challenges and future opportunities in the safety assessment of newly expressed proteins in

genetically modified plants. EFSA Journal, 23(8), e9568. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9568

https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9568