The efficacy of CRISPR/Cas 9 technique to
obtain precise genetic modifications makes it more difficult to identify a
genetically modified plant one outside the lab and also to regulate this
organism in the market. For a consumer and also a regulatory agency it would
become nearly impossible to find out which organism was genetically modified
and which does not. (Ledford, 2015) Furthermore, for many years modified
organisms have been patented when they had an industrial use. With the new
CRISPR/Cas 9 a regulation of the patenting is almost impossible due to many
economic interests that are involved and the modification is hard to prove. (Rodriguez,
2016)
Although Switzerland has one of the most restrictiv
laws concerning genetically modified organisms the current regulation in Switzerland
does not cover the use of the CRISPR/Cas 9 sufficiently. Before a genetically
modified organism can be put into circulation it must be researched and the
confederation needs to grant authorisation. (BAFU, 2004) In my opinion, the
biggest issue in the Swiss laws is the definition of a genetically modified
organism: “Genetically modified organism means organisms in which the genetic
material has been altered in a way that doesn’t occur under natural conditions
by crossing or natural recombination” (Gene Technology Act, Art. 5, BAFU).
For that reason, organisms which have been
modified with the CRISPR/Cas 9 system do not fall under that articles of law
and would not be called GMOs according to the Swiss regulation. But how would
you describe and regulate CRISPR/Cas9-modified organisms when the modification
is hard to prove? I personally could not answer that question and time will
show if anyone can.
If I had to create a forecast what the
Swiss public would say about the use of CRISPR/Cas9-modified plants, the Swiss
citizen would definitely reject a use of such a plant on the market. From my
point of view, ignorance and fundamental miscommunication by the media would be
the main problem. People are always afraid of new technologies and not without a
reason. History has shown mankind many times that late results can always arrive
and we as human beings do not learn anything from it. Even though the
CRISPR/Cas 9 system is such a powerful tool, time is needed for a wide spread
social acceptance.
References
Federal Office of
Environment (BAFU) (2004) Federal Act of 21 March 2003 on Non-Human Gene
Technology (Gene Technology Act, GTA) Retrieved on 7.5.2017 from
https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19996136/index.html
Ledford, H. (2015) CRISPR, the disruptor. Nature 522: 20-24 found in Rodriguez, E.
(2016) Ethical Issues inn Genome using Crispr/Cas9 System. J Clin Res Bioeth 7: 266
Rodriguez, E. (2016) Ethical Issues inn
Genome using Crispr/Cas9 System. J
Clin Res Bioeth 7: 266
