In a significant milestone for agricultural technology, China has granted approval for the safety of a gene-edited soybean, marking the country’s first authorization of this technology in a crop. The decision reflects China’s increasing reliance on scientific advancements to bolster food production.
The gene-edited soybean, developed by privately owned Shandong Shunfeng Biotechnology Co., Ltd, incorporates two modified genes that substantially increase the levels of oleic acid, a healthy fat, in the plant.According to a document published last week by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the safety certificate for the soybean has been granted for a period of five years starting from April 21.
Unlike genetic modification, which involves introducing foreign genes into a plant, gene editing modifies existing genes. This technology is considered to be less risky than genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and is subject to lighter regulations in some countries, including China, which established gene-editing guidelines last year.
Shunfeng Biotechnology expressed their enthusiasm, stating, “The approval of the safety certificate is a shot in the arm for the Shunfeng team,” in a statement to Reuters on Thursday. The company claims to be the first in China to seek commercialization of gene-edited crops.
Shunfeng is presently conducting research on approximately 20 other gene-edited crops, including high-yield rice, wheat, and corn, herbicide-resistant rice and soybeans, as well as vitamin C-rich lettuce, as confirmed by a company representative.
In the United States, Calyxt (CLXT.O), a company based in the country, also developed a high oleic soybean, which yielded a healthy oil and became the first gene-edited food to receive approval in 2019.
However, several additional steps must be completed before Chinese farmers can cultivate the newly approved soybean, including obtaining approvals for seed varieties carrying the modified genes.
This approval comes at a time when Beijing faces concerns over trade tensions, unpredictable weather patterns, and conflicts in Ukraine, a major grain exporter, all of which have heightened anxieties about ensuring food security for China’s population of 1.4 billion. Moreover, the rise of the middle class has resulted in an increased incidence of diet-related diseases.
China is also actively promoting the adoption of GMO crops, commencing large-scale trials of genetically modified corn this year. However, gene-edited crops are expected to reach the market more swiftly due to a less cumbersome regulatory process.
Apart from the United States, Japan has also granted approval for gene-edited foods, including tomatoes with enhanced nutritional profiles and faster-growing fish.
