Sunday Evening News 488/ 2026


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


August 2026-24-10 - September 2026-09-06 Weeks 35, 36

Meetings - Veranstaltungen


LGL-Bayern, Oberschleißhein: 11. Fachtagung Gentechnik

Donnerstag, 17. September 2026 bis Freitag, 18. September 2026 | 12:30 Uhr bis 13:00 Uhr

https://www.lgl.bayern.de/fort_weiterbildung/veranstaltungen/index.htm

 

International Conference on Plant Genetic Engineering and Genome Editing (ICPGEGE)

23 Sep 2026, Berlin, Germany

https://www.conferencealert.com/eventdetail/2307526

 

12th International Conference: IP Protection for Plant Innovation 2026

03.-04.12.2026 Amsterdam

https://forum-institut.de/26121130-ip-protection-for-plant-innovation-2026

 

SAVE THE DATE: Conference on Innovation and Resilience in the Agrifood Chain - Regulation on Plants Obtained by New Genomic

Techniques – 3 December 2026

https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety-news/save-date-conference-innovation-and-resilience-agrifood-chain-regulation-plants-obtained-new-genomic-2026-08-31_en

 

Press Releases - Media / Presse- und Medienberichte


Dahm J.: NGT: Jurist sieht hohe Hürden für Klage der Slowakei

https://table.media/agrifood/news/ngt-jurist-sieht-hohe-huerden-fuer-klage-der-slowakei

 

ARGE Gentechnik-frei: Slowakei klagt gegen EU-NGT-Verordnung

https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20260904_OTS0020/arge-gentechnik-frei-slowakei-klagt-gegen-eu-ngt-verordnung

 

Informationsdienst Gentechnik: Neue Gentechnik: Die Slowakei zieht vor Gericht

https://www.keine-gentechnik.de/nachricht/neue-gentechnik-die-slowakei-zieht-vor-gericht

 

Aktuelle Biotechnologie: POINT NEWSLETTER NR. 290 – AUGUST 2026

https://www.scienceindustries.ch/_file/40093/point-2026-08-290-d.pdf

 

BfN: Gentechnisch veränderte Mikroorganismen

https://www.bfn.de/gentechnisch-veraenderte-mikroorganismen

 

BfN: Fachliche Stellungnahme zu GV-Mikroorganismen aus Sicht des Naturschutzes

https://www.bfn.de/publikationen/hintergrundpapier/fachliche-stellungnahme-zu-gv-mikroorganismen-aus-sicht-des

 

Testbiotech: ÖkologInnen gegen eine Absenkung der Sicherheitsstandards für die Freisetzung gentechnisch veränderter

Mikroorganismen

https://www.testbiotech.org/aktuelles/oekologinnen-gegen-eine-absenkung-der-sicherheitsstandards-fuer-die-freisetzung-gentechnisch-veraenderter-mikroorganismen/

Das Statement: https://gfoe.org/de/ueber-uns/aktuelles/141-brief-an-europaeische-abgeordnete-zum-thema-freisetzung-von-genetisch-manipulierten-mikroorganismen

 

EU-Commission: Implementation Strategy (1): For Regulation (EU) 2026/1388 on plants obtained by certain new genomic

techniques  and their products

https://food.ec.europa.eu/document/download/4c13763b-bed7-40f1-8009-56fc4b7c7a57_en?filename=ngt_leg_implementation-strategy_reg-2026-1388.pdf

 

EU-Commission: Biotechnologies: Commission publishes a call for evidence on the delegated and implementing acts to support

the application of the New Genomic Techniques (NGT) Regulation

https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety-news/biotechnologies-commission-publishes-call-evidence-delegated-and-implementing-acts-support-2026-08-31_en

 

Wirl L.: Press Release: Slovak Academy of Science ignores science to support NGT Regulation

https://ensser.org/press_release/press-release-slovak-academy-of-science-ignores-science-to-support-ngt-regulation/

Statement: https://ensser.org/publications/publications_2026/statement-slovak-academy-of-science-support-of-ngt-regulation/

 

SAFE supports Slovakian lawsuit against NGT regulation

https://www.safefoodadvocacy.eu/safe-supports-slovakian-lawsuit-against-ngt-regulation/

 

Slovak Academy of Science publishes statement on EU NGT regulations

https://www.hortidaily.com/article/9867100/slovak-academy-of-science-publishes-statement-on-eu-ngt-regulations/

 

Silenská N: Slovakia takes EU gene-edited crop rules to top court

https://www.euractiv.com/news/slovakia-takes-eu-gene-edited-crop-rules-to-top-court/

https://www.bgnes.com/politics/fico-slovakia-to-sue-eu-over-deregulation-of-new-gmos

 

GM Watch: Ecologists denounce EU Commission plan to deregulate GM microorganisms

https://mailchi.mp/gmwatch.org/ecologists-denounce-eu-commission-plan-to-deregulate-gm-microorganisms

 

Chinese researchers develop spore-free Bt Chassis and structure-guided insecticidal protein discovery platform

https://agrospectrumasia.com/news/107/4493/chinese-researchers-develop-spore-free-bt-chassis-and-structure-guided-insecticidal-protein-discovery-platform.html

 

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

media reports are ►here:

Publications – Publikationen


Guo Y., Ma X., Li Z., Liu C., Chu C., Wang J. (2026): Herbicide Resistance Genes in Crops: Mechanisms, Progress, and Future

Perspectives.Plants 15 (17), 2718 | https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15172718

While previous reviews have largely focused on individual crops or single target-site mechanisms, the full-chain comparative landscape across major cereal crops remains unexplored. Here, we fill this critical gap by providing the first systematic, cross-crop comparative review that spans herbicide targets, resistance mechanisms, and breeding applications across four major cereals—rice, maize, wheat, and sorghum. Weed infestation is a serious constraint on crop production. Chemical weed control faces challenges such as herbicide resistance evolution and ecological risks. Developing herbicide-resistant varieties is a fundamental approach to achieve green and sustainable weed management. This review systematically summarizes research progress on herbicide resistance genes from three aspects: herbicide classification, resistance mechanisms, and crop breeding applications. It highlights key differences among four major cereal crops (rice, maize, wheat, and sorghum) in resistance-gene discovery and translational progress. Rice has the richest target-site resistance-gene resources. Maize leads in commercialization of transgenic herbicide resistance. Wheat focuses on endogenous precise editing due to genome complexity and regulatory constraints. Sorghum relies on specific mutations to serve cereal–legume intercropping systems. Based on this comparison, this review identifies the core trends in resistance breeding: from single-gene to multi-gene stacking, and from exogenous gene introduction to endogenous gene editing. It also points out common bottlenecks, including insufficient systematic mining of resistance-gene resources, lagging elucidation of non-target-site resistance regulatory networks, and strong genotype dependence in genetic transformation. Future efforts should focus on exploring broad-spectrum resistance genes, optimizing precise editing technologies, and developing sustainable resistance management strategies. This review provides a theoretical framework and practical references for molecular breeding of herbicide-resistant crops.

https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/15/17/2718

 

Wei X., Yin Y., Zhu X.,Li Z. et al. (2026): Green and efficient maize varieties synergize global yield and nitrogen

sustainability. Science Bulletin | 10.1016/j.scib.2026.08.082

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095927326010030?via%3Dihub

 

Kebede B, A., Mohammed, W., Keneni, G. et al.(2026): Genome-wide association study identifies candidate genes for

agronomic traits under heat- and combined recurrent drought-and heat-stress in wheat. Sci Rep 16, 27079 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-68092-7

Combined heat and drought stress, mainly during sensitive growth stages, considerably limits wheat yields. Herein, we report on an experiment conducted to analyze and predict the phenology, architecture, and kernel yield component (PAKyC) traits of a diverse bread wheat population grown under heat stress and fully irrigated conditions (HSFIC), and combined recurrent drought and heat stress (CRDHS). 17,711 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used to perform a GWAS for 13 PAKyC traits on 187 genotypes, a subset of 234 genotypes, using the BLINK model. Nine constitutive SNPs, 24 marker-trait associations (MTAs), broad-effect pleiotropic SNPs, conditional pleiotropic SNPs, adaptive pleiotropic SNPs under CRDHS, and two robust SNPs were identified. Furthermore, 35 candidate genes were associated with cellular components, biological processes, and molecular functions under CRDHS and HSFIC. Among these genes, 12 were highly expressed (> 0.5 TPM) in response to drought, heat, and combined stresses. Nine genes were identified to be transcription factors regulating drought and heat responses, while the functions of the other three genes remain unclear. Overall, HSFIC and CRDHS environments enabled the dissection of heritable and strongly correlated traits, MTAs, and pleiotropy types: constitutive, adaptive, and conditional. They also helped identify robust SNPs and candidate genes that are important for bread wheat breeding.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-68092-7

 

Seo, MG., Kim, C. & Kwon, CT. (2026): Unraveling genetic compensation to engineer plant agricultural traits.

Hortic. Environ. Biotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-026-00846-8

Genetic compensation is a pivotal mechanism that enables plants to maintain phenotypic and developmental stability in response to genetic disruptions or environmental fluctuations. This review traces the emergence and refinement of this concept, from early biological theories to its recognition as a central feature of genetic robustness in plants. We explore how plants employ a range of regulatory strategies, including transcriptional and epigenetic reprogramming, to preserve growth and organ development when primary gene functions are compromised. The review highlights how both conserved and species-specific compensation pathways operate across various developmental contexts, such as meristem maintenance and tissue regeneration. We also discuss the relevance of gene dosage balance in polyploid genomes and how plants resolve expression conflicts following genome duplication. Finally, we examine the growing importance of genetic compensation in agricultural biotechnology, where understanding and manipulating these networks can inform strategies for enhancing crop resilience, yield potential, and stress adaptability. With recent advances in functional genomics and precision breeding, genetic compensation emerges not only as a natural safeguard but also as a valuable tool for the next generation of crop improvement.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13580-026-00846-8

 

Thudi, M., Naik, Y.D., Jha, U.C. et al. (2026): Cross incompatibility restricting genome exchange and diversification of

primary gene pool in plants: challenges and opportunities. Theor Appl Genet 139, 245 | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00122-026-05347-x

Crop wild relatives (CWR), closely related wild taxa of cultivated crops, offer a wealth of genetic diversity essential for developing traits to help crops adapt to the challenges of biotic and abiotic stresses. This diversity is critical to meet the increasing global demand for food, especially under the looming threat of climate change. However, crossing between individuals from different species often results in maladapted or inviable offspring due to pre- and post-zygotic barriers. Pre-zygotic barriers prevent successful pollen–stigma interactions and pollen tube growth, while post-zygotic barriers include hybrid embryo or endosperm failure and chromosome pairing issues, contributing to cross incompatibility (CI). These barriers restrict genome exchange and hinder the diversification of the primary gene pool in plants. Overcoming these barriers is a significant challenge. This review explores the diverse pre- and post-zygotic barriers in interspecific hybridization, emphasizing genetic factors related to CI. Additionally, this review highlights biotechnological approaches such as somatic hybridization and embryo rescue techniques, which are used to overcome these barriers. Through continued research and innovation, these barriers can be overcome, unlocking the full potential of CWR to address the evolving demands of global agriculture. Recent advances in synthetic biology now offer the possibility to reprogram reproductive barriers, turning CI into a controllable trait for hybrid development.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00122-026-05347-x?utm_source=x&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=rh_publication_moment

 

Zahn, V., Sievers, AJ., Kersten, B. et al. (2026): Genetic transformation and CRISPR/Cas12a-mediated gene editing of

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) employing a transient protoplast system. Commun Biol 9, 1145 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-10805-9

Fagus sylvatica L. (European beech) is a dominant hardwood forest tree species across Central Europe, supporting diverse ecosystem services and forming the basis of a significant market for high-value timber. However, climate change increasingly threatens beech vitality and productivity, making molecular insights into its stress resilience and functional validation of underlying genes urgently needed. Here, we report a protocol for protoplast isolation from seedling leaves and demonstrate transient genetic transformation and CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing in F. sylvatica. PEG-mediated transformation was sequentially optimized, achieving efficiencies of 59 ± 6.19% within distinct seasonal windows. Protoplast yield and transformation efficiency showed pronounced temporal variation throughout the year, indicating a strong seasonal influence on reproducibility of the workflow despite controlled growth conditions. A basic molecular toolkit for functional genomics and future biotechnological applications was established by testing a set of promoters and reporters. For proof-of-concept genome editing, we achieved 4.75 to 32.69% editing efficiencies in the PHYTOENE DESATURASE gene (FsPDS) using temperature-tolerant LbCas12a (ttLbCas12a). Although further optimization of transformation reproducibility and regeneration systems remains necessary, the presented protoplast platform provides a valuable foundation for transient functional assays and genome editing studies in this non-model tree species.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-026-10805-9

 

Jung, H., Jeong, B., Kim, YW. et al. (2026): Precise genomic integration of large DNA fragments by donor-directed

annealing using prime editing. Nat Biotechnol | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-026-03301-2

Replacing large-scale fragments in human cells remains a substantial challenge. Here, we present a programmable gene replacement tool, named prime assembly (PA), which adapts prime editors to produce one or two pairs of 3′-flaps on both the genome and donor DNA. These 3′-flaps anneal to each other precisely, similar to Gibson assembly in DNA oligonucleotides, allowing megabase-scale genomic excision and/or kilobase-scale donor insertion at the gene of interest. PA accepts DNA plasmids and linear double-stranded DNA as donors, ranging from 1.0 to 6.5 kb in size. We demonstrate an efficiency of up to 57.8% in replacing endogenous sequences with a 2.9-kb donor DNA fragment in HEK293T cells, with an accuracy of >90% for integrated PA fragments. Furthermore, PA enables site-specific chimeric antigen receptor integration with up to 28.1% efficiency in primary human T cells. When PA containing a GFP donor is delivered to mice by hydrodynamic injection, an average integration efficiency of 4.3% is measured in GFP-positive hepatocytes.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-026-03301-2

 

Kammerdiener E.K., Hren A.P., Harrison R., Charles S’K., Dawn Klingeman D. et al. (2026): Empirical evaluation of all unique

Cas9 protospacers in E. coli reveal widespread functionality and rules for gRNA design, Nucleic Acids Research 54 (11), gkag548 | https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkag548

The Cas9 nuclease has become central to modern methods and technologies in synthetic biology, largely due to the ease with which it can be targeted to specific DNA loci via guide RNAs (gRNAs). Reports vary widely on the actual specificity of this targeting, with some studies observing 60% of gRNAs possessing no activity against the genome, yet an assumption persists within the E. coli community that inactive gRNAs are rare. To resolve these contradictions, we evaluated the activity of 463 000 unique gRNAs in the E. coli K12 MG1655 genome. We show that the overwhelming majority (at least 93%) of unique gRNAs are functional while only 0.3% are nonfunctional. These nonfunctional gRNAs exhibit strong spacer self-interaction, which can either be excluded using a simple design rule or “repaired” during library design. Finally, this work provides the greater microbial synthetic biology community both a set of nearly half a million empirically evaluated E. coli gRNAs as well as a thoroughly evaluated experimental procedure, complete with appropriate controls for Cas9 activity, for conducting Cas9 assays in E. coli specifically and bacteria more generally. Lastly, we have produced a webapp to allow users to easily browse and extract gRNA sequences from the E. coli genome, which can be accessed at https://grna.ornl.gov.

https://academic.oup.com/nar/article/54/11/gkag548/8703689

 

Ono E., Shimizu K., Murata J., Segawa T., Shiraishi A. et al. (2026): Transposon-colonized intron gain follows parasitism-

mediated horizontal transfer of a cytochrome P450 gene, Plant Physiology 201 (2), kiag335 | https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiag335

Specialized metabolites are often distributed sporadically across distantly related plant lineages, a pattern commonly attributed to convergent evolution, although the genomic processes enabling such innovation remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that parasitic dodders (Cuscuta spp.) accumulate the lignan sesamin, a compound previously considered characteristic of sesame (Sesamum indicum) and related Lamiales species. We identified Cuscuta homologs of S. indicum CYP81Q1, which encodes piperitol/sesamin synthase (PSS), and demonstrated that these proteins retain catalytic PSS activity in vitro. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that CYP81Q was horizontally transferred from a Lamiales host to an ancestral Cuscuta lineage. Parasitism by C. campestris induces host CYP81Q expression and enhances interspecific transfer of genetic material across the haustorial interface, providing a mechanistic basis for horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Notably, comparative genomic analyses reveal that following horizontal acquisition, the transferred gene underwent extensive structural remodeling, characterized by sequential intron gains, while its enzymatic function was preserved. Many of the newly acquired introns exhibit hallmarks of insertion and excision of transposable elements, suggesting that mobile genetic elements contributed to post-transfer gene restructuring. The intron-rich architecture of Cuscuta CYP81Q was stably maintained throughout species diversification. Together, these findings suggest that parasitism-mediated HGT can be followed by intronization and transposon colonization, resulting in the generation of structurally complex yet functional genes. This process represents an underappreciated mechanism through which parasitic plants remodel horizontally acquired genes to facilitate metabolic innovation.

https://academic.oup.com/plphys/article/201/2/kiag335/8722230

 

Ramirez, V.E. Haiwei Shuai, Fang-Yu Hwu, +22 , and Brigitte Poppenberger: (2026): Brassinosteroid-regulated transcription

factors confer epigenetic changes that repress plant immunity, PNAS 123/34 (2026), e2532739123 | https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2532739123

When organisms encounter pathogens, they rapidly activate complex defense programs to ensure survival. While these immune responses are vital, they often also incur trade-offs, such as reduced growth and development and must therefore be tightly controlled. In this study, we reveal that the steroid hormones brassinosteroids (BRs) contribute to this control in Arabidopsis thaliana by repressing immunity-related genes. We provide evidence that the BR-regulated basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor CESTA (CES), along with its homologs BR ENHANCED EXPRESSION (BEE)1-3, mediate DNA methylation changes at transposable element (TE)-rich loci containing nucleotide-binding leucine-rich-repeat (NLR)-type receptor genes, including SUPPRESSOR OF NPR1-1 CONSTITUTIVE 1 (SNC1). These CES-induced methylation changes correlate with altered splicing of SNC1 pre-mRNA, a process that requires the BR receptor BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1). In support, we show that CES associates with components of the chromatin remodeling and splicing machinery. Together, our findings reveal a previously unrecognized BR-induced mechanism that modulates the epigenetic and post transcriptional regulation of immune genes, enabling plants to prioritize growth over defense.

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2532739123

 

Timonova  E.M., Kiseleva A.A., Nesterov M.A., Korotkova A. V. et al. (2026): Impact of wheat GRF4-GIF1 morphogenic

regulators on transformation and genome editing efficiency in elite barley cultivars. Front. Plant Sci., Sec. Technical Advances in Plant Science; Volume 17 - 2026 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2026.1837794

Introduction: Efficient genetic transformation is essential for the delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system and thus represents an important technology for breeding-oriented research in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). However, transformation and plant regeneration from tissue culture remain challenging in non-model barley genotypes. Previous studies demonstrated that expression of a chimeric fusion between two interacting transcription factors, GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR 4 (GRF4) and GRF-INTERACTING FACTOR 1 (GIF1), enhances regeneration capacity in wheat and other species.

Methods: In this study, we evaluated the effect of the wheat-derived GRF4-GIF1 morphogenic regulators on biolistic transformation and genome editing efficiency in three commercial barley cultivars: Tselinniy 5, Aley, and G-23035.

Results: The JD633 construct carrying GRF4-GIF1 enabled recovery of stable transformants in all three genotypes, with efficiencies ranging from 2.5% to 5%, whereas the control construct lacking morphogenic regulators resulted in no transgenic events in any of the tested varieties. Among transformed T0 plantlets, genome editing efficiency reached 64.3%, with predominantly biallelic mutations that were stably inherited in the T1 generation. Molecular screening revealed the presence of plasmid-free edited plants in the T0 generation, likely arising from transient Cas9 expression, and provided evidence of tissue chimerism.

Discussion: These results demonstrate that the GRF-GIF system facilitates genome editing, providing a practical framework for accelerating precision breeding in barley.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1837794/full

 

Thomas Argyarich Jefferson T.A., Alizadeh M., Prismantoro D. et al.: (2026): The microbiome as the second genome:

engineering the phytobiome for climate-resilient agriculture, Journal of Plant Interactions, 21:1, 2649126, DOI: 10.1080/17429145.2026.2649126

The plant microbiome, often referred to as the ‘second genome,’ is a key yet underutilized determinant of plant health and ecosystem function. As climate change accelerates, harnessing this microbial resource is critical for food security and carbon mitigation. The phytobiome is not passive but an engineerable system that can enhance crop resilience under environmental stress. Climate stress disrupts plant–microbe interactions and destabilizes microbial networks, potentially triggering adverse soil carbon feedbacks. This review presents a framework for phytobiome engineering that integrates synthetic microbial consortia, plant-driven microbiome selection, and ecological design to improve stress tolerance and soil carbon sequestration. By incorporating multi-omics, artificial intelligence, and predictive modeling, we propose a data-driven approach to microbiome stewardship. However, field-scale implementation remains challenging due to ecological complexity and context dependency. Future research should prioritize long-term field validation and integrative modeling to support sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural systems worldwide.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17429145.2026.2649126

 

Zhan D., Wang Z., Xia J., et al. (2026). Horizontal gene transfer in insects: Insights into origins, detection, and functional

roles. The Innovation Life 4, 100223 | https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-life.2026.100223

Unlike vertical gene transfer, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) allows organisms to acquire genetic material from distantly related lineages, serving as a vital source of evolutionary innovation beyond conventional inheritance. Advances in meta-omics technologies have enabled the identification of thousands of horizontally transferred genes (HTGs) across diverse insect taxa, with mounting evidence supporting their recurrent integration and functional importance. This review synthesizes current understanding of insect HGT, focusing on four major themes: (1) Methodologies for detecting HGT have evolved from PCR-based assays to include parametric and phylogenetic approaches, often complemented by transcriptomic validation; (2) Donor sources span bacteria, fungi, viruses, plants, and metazoans, with bacterial endosymbionts being the predominant contributors, and Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, and Coleoptera emerging as the most frequent recipients; (3) Functional analyses indicate lineage-specific biases, with the majority of well-characterized HTGs involved in glycoside hydrolysis or symbiosis-related processes; (4) HTGs undergo domestication via either "maintenance”—preserving ancestral functions—or "innovation"—enabling novel traits. These dynamics are reflected in four recurrent adaptive patterns: ecological versatility, symbiotic synergy, adversary subversion, and weaponized innovation. Despite significant progress, challenges persist in refining detection pipelines, expanding taxonomic coverage, and strengthening functional validation. Collectively, these findings provide a conceptual framework for deciphering cross-kingdom genetic exchanges and their contributions to insect adaptation and diversification.

https://www.the-innovation.org/article/doi/10.59717/j.xinn-life.2026.100223

 

Lee, D., Jo, C. (2026): The future of meat: innovations in production within an expanding and sustainable food system.

 Food Sci Anim Resour 46, 93 | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44463-026-00079-4

Meat has played a central role in human evolution, shaping not only our diets but also our societies, cultures, and technologies. From early hunting practice to the domestication and systematic production of livestock, the history of meat production closely parallels human development. Today, however, industrial meat production faces growing challenges, including environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, ethical concerns, and evolving consumer expectations. In this review, the transformation of meat production is discussed, with a focus on emerging scientific and technological innovations aimed at improving meat quality, sustainability, and production efficiency. In addition, the concept of cellular agriculture is summarized as a complementary approach for producing future agricultural products, including protein sources, along with conventional meat production and other meat alternative technologies. The future of meat is not merely a technological challenge, but a multidisciplinary endeavor, as the market introduction of cell-based foods, a key component of cellular agriculture, broadens the meat science landscape and enables innovation to advance alongside conventional meat production in support of sustainable and resilient food systems.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44463-026-00079-4

 

Nissen S., Buelow F.A., Taitingfong R., Black A. (20256): Engagement for genetic modification technologies in conservation:

For whom, how, and for what ends? Environmental Science & Policy 171, 104190 | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104190

Questions of engagement loom large for the use of genetic modification technologies in conservation. As scientific teams rapidly move towards implementing changes that will fundamentally alter entire species, concerns are regularly raised that associated engagement activities are inadequate. It is therefore vital to take stock of recent social research that critically examines how engagement is being enacted: who is engaged and by whom, how and on what terms, and for whom or what those processes serve. Despite a rise in calls for engagement, our review shows emergent gestures towards engagement by developers and regulators lean strongly towards narrow instrumental approaches that reinforce knowledge hierarchies and existing power imbalances. It contributes to engagement practices that are often vague and tokenistic, and focused on one-way education and snapshots of opinion, rather than mutual reciprocity and dialogue. To counter these undercurrents, our review draws attention to the ways social researchers are seeking to reorient engagement for genetic modification towards its more substantive and democratic possibilities, through articulating process, amplifying plurality, and acknowledging contestation.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901125002060?via%3Dihub

 

EFSA

GMO Panel (2026): Assessment of genetically modified RF3 Canola Quality (CQ) Brassica juncea (application EFSA-GMO-NL-2019-

158). EFSA Journal, 24(8), e10178. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10178

https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10178

 

GMO Panel (2026): Assessment of genetically modified soybean DAS-44406 × FG72 (dossier GMFF-2025-34192). EFSA Journal,

24(7), e10268. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10268

https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10268