Where are we with unintended effects in genome editing applications from DNA to phenotype: focus on plant applications.

Where are we with unintended effects in genome editing applications from DNA to phenotype: focus on plant applications. Transgenic Res. 2019 Aug;28(Suppl 2):125-133 Authors: Troadec MB, Pagès JC, the Scientific Committee of the High Council for biotechnology, France Abstract Agriculture has benefited from various conventional techniques for plant breeding, including chemical- or radiation-induced mutagenesis, and to some extent from transgenesis. Genome editing techniques are likely to allow straightforward, cost-effective and efficient gene-specific modifications for identified genetic traits associated to agronomic interest. As for previous plant breeding techniques, genome editing techniques need an appraisal for unintended effects. Hence, an evaluation of potential specific risks associated with genome editing must be considered. The Scientific Committee of the High Council for biotechnology (HCB), using a broad theoretical and literature-based approach, identified three categories of points to consider in terms of hazards in health and environment, as compared to conventional breeding: (1) technical unintended effects related to effector persistence as well as risks associated with off-target modifications or other unintended genome modifications, (2) risks arising from the desired trait and its novelty in the plant, and (3) risks associated with the potential modification of plant breeding practices, owing to efficacy and te...
Source: Transgenic Research - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Transgenic Res Source Type: research