Sunday Evening News 473 / 2026
Weekly report on genetic engineering, genome editing, biotechnology and legal regulation.
May 2026-05-04 - 2026-05-10 Week 19 -2026
Meetings – Conferences / Treffen - Veranstaltungen
DLG-Feldtage – Das Festival des Pflanzenbaus
16. bis 18. Juni 2026 | Internationales DLG-Pflanzenbauzentrum | Bernburg (Sachsen-Anhalt)
https://www.dlg-feldtage.de/de/
Press Releases - Media / Presse- und Medienberichte
GGSC: EU-VERORDNUNG ÜBER NEUE GENOMISCHE TECHNIKEN (NGT): ZUR VERLETZUNG DES VORSORGE-PRINZIPS -
Rechtsgutachten
Tagesspiegel-Background: Verzicht auf Risikoprüfungen bei neuer Gentechnik ist rechtswidrig
Glasfort M.: dm und Rewe fordern Kennzeichnung für Gentechnik-Lebensmittel
Nowak J.: Dear Member of the European Parliament,
https://doprawdy.info/2026/05/dear-member-of-the-european-parliament/
Hollstein B.: Bund bewilligt Gentechnik-Experiment mit Schweizer Kartoffeln
Feldversuch mit cisgener Kartoffel: nachhaltige Krankheitsresistenzen als Ziel
https://www.vbs.admin.ch/de/newnsb/GIgpqkr3_-ufopSgvQXhS
Seed World Staff: Industry Coalition Calls for Swift Approval of EU New Genomic Techniques Law
The letter: https://euroseeds.eu/app/uploads/2026/05/EU-Agri-Food-Chain-NGT-letter-to-MEPs-260504.pdf
GM Watch: European food retailers call for labelling and traceability of new GMOs, protection from patent claims
Only some selected press releases or media reports are listed here. The daily up-date of the press releases and
media reports are ►here: April 19/2026
Publications – Publikationen
Broothaerts, W., de Andrade, E., Hochegger, R., Marchesi, U., & Weidner, C. (2026). Long-term monitoring of GMOs in EU food
and feed: a multi-national survey to optimize enforcement strategies. GM Crops & Food, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/21645698.2026.2668239
To ensure food safety, consumer protection and environmental sustainability, the European Union enforces a robust regulatory framework for GMO monitoring. This study presents a multi-annual survey to evaluate the effectiveness of EU enforcement strategies in detecting and managing GMO presence across the food and feed supply chain. The study aggregates for the first time data across all EU Member States and product categories (food, feed, seed) over three time periods, providing a holistic view of GMO dynamics. The study investigated the number and type of products subjected to analytical tests but also reveals trends in GMO occurrence over time. These observations underscore the importance of updating detection strategies in control laboratories to address the evolving GMO landscape. By leveraging the study’s findings, EU competent authorities and official control laboratories may tailor their monitoring plans to reflect actual market trends and enhance the efficiency of GMO analysis.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21645698.2026.2668239
European Union Reference Laboratory for Genetically Modified Food and Feed (EURL GMFF)
https://gmo-crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/
Zagado, R.G., Romero, M.V., Beltran, J.C. et al. (2026): Pilot deployment of beta carotene-enriched rice (Golden Rice) in the
Philippines. Sci Rep | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-48565-5
Golden Rice, registered as Malusog Rice in the Philippines, is a biofortified rice containing beta carotene in its grains to address vitamin A deficiency (VAD), a prevalent public health problem. It can provide 30–50% of the estimated average requirement for vitamin A. Its commercial approval in July 2021 led to a pilot-scale deployment in selected high VAD prevalent areas. From 2022 wet cropping season to 2023 wet cropping season, it was cultivated on 202 hectares across 24 provinces in the country, demonstrating significant field performance comparable to that of other rice varieties. It gained an average yield of 3.9t/ha and a maximum yield of 8.3t/ha. Over 77 tons of Malusog Rice were distributed to its target VAD beneficiaries, while eight tons were allocated for market testing. Survey results show that 97% of the target VAD beneficiaries expressed their desire to include Malusog Rice in their diet when it becomes widely available. Moreover, market testing indicates that Malusog Rice was found to be a marketable product, with a price comparable to regular/well-milled rice. The milestone approval and deployment of Malusog Rice in the Philippines position the country as a global leader in agricultural biotechnology, being the first to approve and deploy genetically engineered rice with nutritional benefits.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-48565-5
Ahmadabadi, M., Dehghanian, Z., Valizadeh Kamran, R., Pazhouhandeh, M., & Aryan, A. (2026): Analysis of public perception and
socio-demographic drivers of genetically modified organisms in Iran. GM Crops & Food, 17(1) | https://doi.org/10.1080/21645698.2026.2668245
The rapid growth in the world’s population poses a significant threat to food security, making genetically modified organisms (GMOs) an important potential solution. Alongside technological advancements, public awareness of GMOs – including their benefits and existing challenges – plays a crucial role in their acceptance and use within communities. This study aimed to assess opinions and the level of awareness of the Iranian public regarding GM products, the sources they consult for information on the topic, and their trust in these sources. A survey was conducted with 5,730 predominantly young, urban, and well-educated individuals from 16 provinces. The results revealed that 40% of respondents held positive attitudes toward GM crops, a figure higher than those reported in some social media analyses. Using multiple logistic regression, the study found that factors such as age, education, occupation, and residence significantly influenced attitudes toward GMOs, whereas gender did not. Although 42% of participants reported having limited knowledge about GMOs, most expressed greater trust in scientists compared to media sources and supported various applications of GMO technology. These findings, which focus on educated urban youth due to convenience sampling, underscore the importance of education and media in shaping perceptions of GM products in Iran.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21645698.2026.2668245
Zhyr L., Furch A., Mithöfer A. (2026): Beneficial microbes in agriculture: curse or blessing? Trends in Plant Science 31 (5),
566-575 | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2025.08.016
In modern agriculture, microbial inoculants isolated and collected from all over the world have gained popularity as a means of reducing the amount of fertilizer by increasing the availability of nutrients and mitigating environmental stress that is often connected with climate change. Concerning biocontrol, microbial inoculants are known to be effective in integrated pest management. However, the introduction of alien microbes can lead to the emergence of antagonists of the natural soil microbiota, which might drastically change the latter and ultimately have a negative impact on the whole natural soil ecosystem, causing unforeseeable consequences. We will discuss various aspects of the employment of microbial inoculants in agriculture, with a focus on the largely neglected threat posed by potentially invasive microbes.
Reminder – Zur Erinnerung
Ames B. N., Gold L.S. (2000): Paracelsus to parascience: the environmental cancer distraction. Mutation Research -
Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis 447 (1), 3-13 | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0027-5107(99)00194-3
Entering a new millennium seems a good time to challenge some old ideas, which in our view are implausible, have little supportive evidence, and might best be left behind. In this essay, we summarize a decade of work, raising four issues that involve toxicology, nutrition, public health, and government regulatory policy. (a) Paracelsus or parascience: the dose (trace) makes the poison. Half of all chemicals, whether natural or synthetic, are positive in high-dose rodent cancer tests. These results are unlikely to be relevant at the low doses of human exposure. (b) Even Rachel Carson was made of chemicals: natural vs. synthetic chemicals. Human exposure to naturally occurring rodent carcinogens is ubiquitous, and dwarfs the general public's exposure to synthetic rodent carcinogens. (c) Errors of omission: micronutrient inadequacy is genotoxic. The major causes of cancer (other than smoking) do not involve exogenous carcinogenic chemicals: dietary imbalances, hormonal factors, infection and inflammation, and genetic factors. Insufficiency of many micronutrients, which appears to mimic radiation, is a preventable source of DNA damage. (d) Damage by distraction: regulating low hypothetical risks. Putting huge amounts of money into minuscule hypothetical risks damages public health by diverting resources and distracting the public from major risks.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0027510799001943?via%3Dihub
Fernandez-Agudo A., Lester H., Tarazona J.V., Rivero-Pino F. (2026): Bridging gaps between scientific research and regulatory
decision-making in Europe: roles of academia, risk assessors, and policymakers. POLICY AND PRACTICE REVIEWS article,Front. Toxicol. ,Sec. Regulatory Toxicology | https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2026.1829326
A gap between scientific research and regulatory frameworks continues to challenge the effective translation of science into policy and regulation. This commentary explores the disconnection between scientific research, regulatory agencies, and policymakers, highlighting the distinct yet interdependent roles they play. Researchers generate data, which is used by regulatory agencies for risk assessment, and these outcomes serve as the basis for policy development by policymakers. However, misalignments between these key stakeholders hinder effective integration, with consequences for advancing technological development. Additionally, it proposes a set of practical and strategic solutions that span academia, regulatory science, and policymaking to aid the effective integration of science into policy and regulation. Regulatory frameworks that encourage data harmonization, new options for validation, and accessibility are needed. Funding mechanisms that incentivize responsible and relevant research practices are also emphasized. Finally, the importance of open communication and targeted training for researchers and regulators to bridge knowledge gaps and build trust is also discussed. By addressing these issues, this manuscript aims to strengthen the synergy between scientific developments and regulation, advancing evidence-based policymaking. Enhancing robust, reliable and relevant science would improve regulatory decision-making processes, while also guiding researchers on responsible methodologies and setting standards for future research recommendations. The paper advocates for a collaborative approach to enhance the relevance and reliability of published research in guiding evidence-based regulation and policy.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/toxicology/articles/10.3389/ftox.2026.1829326/full
Singh S., Tiwari H., Singh M., Gautam V., Gautam A., GautamH.K. (2026):Expanding the Microbial Genomic Landscape and
Biotechnological Applications of CRISPR-Cas Systems. Biology 15(10), 748; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15100748
The CRISPR-Cas systems, identified initially as adaptive immune mechanisms in bacteria and archaea against viral threats, have rapidly evolved into transformative tools in genetic engineering and biotechnology. These RNA-guided systems are broadly classified into Class 1, comprising multi-subunit complexes, and Class 2, characterized by compact single-effector protein, such as Cas9, Cas12, and Cas13. Their remarkable structural and functional diversity enables microorganisms to adapt to diverse ecological niches, offering a vast repertoire of genome-editing strategies. Beyond their natural role in maintaining genome integrity and defense, CRISPR-Cas systems have been extensively repurposed for precise genome modification, transcriptional regulation, epigenetic editing, and nucleic acid detection. Recent advances in computational mining of microbial genomes and metagenomes have uncovered a broad range of novel CRISPR effectors with unique properties, distinct protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) requirements, RNA-targeting capabilities, miniature architectures, and promiscuous cleavage activities that significantly expand the molecular biology toolkit. The development of CRISPR-based technologies such as base editing, prime editing, gene knock-in/out, and live-cell DNA/RNA imaging exemplifies the versatility of these systems. Despite the challenges associated with delivering complex Class 1 systems, both classes are now being actively harnessed across diverse microbial platforms. Concurrently, the CRISPR-Cas research, particularly for guide RNA (gRNA) design and activity prediction, has revolutionized target specificity and editing efficiency. This review presents a comprehensive overview of CRISPR-Cas system diversity, their genomic landscape in microorganisms, and their cutting-edge biotechnological applications. It also emphasizes the transformative potential of CRISPR in synthetic biology, therapeutics, diagnostics, environmental remediation, and agriculture, while also addressing the ethical and biosafety considerations surrounding its deployment. As CRISPR-Cas systems continue to evolve, they stand at the forefront of innovations that bridge natural microbial immunity with engineered precision tools for next-generation biotechnology.
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/15/10/748
EFSA
FEZ Panel (2026):. Safety evaluation of the food enzyme glucan 1,4-α-maltohydrolase from the genetically modified Bacillus
licheniformis strain DP-Dzb115. EFSA Journal, 24(5), e10086. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10086
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10086
FEZ Panel (2026): Safety evaluation of the food enzye phospholipase D from the genetically modified Streptomyces violaceoruber
strain pPDN. EFSA Journal, 24(5), e10085. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10085
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10085
FEZ Panel (2026): Safety evaluation of an extension of use of the food enzyme α-amylase from the genetically modified Bacillus
licheniformis strain NZYM-BC. EFSA Journal, 24(5), e10087. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10087
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10087
FEZ Panel (2026): Updated safety evaluation of the food enzyme catalase from the non-genetically modified Aspergillus tubingensis
strain AE-CN. EFSA Journal, 24(5), e10082. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10082
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10082
FEZ Panel (2026): Safety evaluation of the food enzyme glutaminase from the genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain Glu3-3.
EFSA Journal, 24(5), e10088. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10088
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10088