Figure: ISAAA workshop participants playing the Biotech Game, a negotiation simulation of science diplomacy

Harmonization in gene editing regulations in the Asia-Pacific region is necessary to promote the path-to-market and enable the benefits of the technology. This is according to Dr. Michael Jones of Murdoch University, Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita of ISAAA Inc., and their co-authors in the review paper titled Enabling Trade in Gene-Edited Produce in Asia and Australasia: The Developing Regulatory Landscape and Future Perspectives published in Plants.

Gene editing has shown its potential for crop improvement over the years of its application in numerous laboratories worldwide, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, where over half of the world's population is located. However, the countries in this region have varied approaches to regulating technology. Some countries have explicit policies; some are currently developing their regulatory framework, while others have yet to create regulations. With the fast pace of developments in gene editing applications, experts are calling for harmonizing regulations in the region. Without this effort, it is projected that crop industries would encounter the same issues that impeded the broad adoption of genetically modified crops. The authors recommend science diplomacy and meaningful international discussions toward harmonizing gene editing regulations.

Read the open-access review in Plants.