50 years after the Asilomar conference, Trends in Biotechnology explores regulations for genetic modification technology

Genetic technologies have the potential to help solve the ever-growing challenges of food insecurity and global health. But for this potential to be met, regulations that hinder scientific innovation need to be reconsidered. In February 1975, the Asilomar conference set the groundwork for the development of evidence-based safety guidelines for the up-and-coming field of agricultural biotechnology.

To mark the 50^th anniversary of the Asilomar conference on recombinant DNA, the Cell Press journal Trends in Biotechnology is publishing a focus issue about how genetic modification is regulated. This collection of opinion and review papers reflects on how the Asilomar conference continues to impact genetic technology innovation and adoption around the world.

“For significantly reduced food insecurity and dramatically improved human health by 2050, there needs to be a global return to the wisdom of biotechnology’s pioneers and the risk-appropriate regulations they envisioned and developed,” writes Trends in Biotechnology editor Matthew Pavlovich.

Highlights from the Trends in Biotechnology focus issue: 

• Risk Appropriate, Science-based Innovation Regulations are Important (Opinion) http://cell.com/trends/biotechnology/fulltext/S0167-7799(24)00317-2

In this opinion article, Stuart Smyth and colleagues propose that regulatory frameworks developed post-2000 are not based on scientific evidence but instead prioritize socioeconomic factors that are difficult if not impossible to assess. The authors review evidence that regulatory delays have resulted in economic, environmental, and resource losses—for example, delays in the adoption of genetically modified canola in Australia are estimated to have resulted in the loss of AUS$485 million, the application of 6.5 million kg of additional active ingredients (e.g., pesticides), and the additional emission of 24.2 million kgs of greenhouse gases.

• Regulation of Animal and Plant Agricultural Biotechnology (Opinion) https://www.cell.com/trends/biotechnology/fulltext/S0167-7799(24)00316-0

In this opinion article, Simona Lubieniechi and colleagues argue that regulatory frameworks for agricultural biotechnology should be based on each product’s unique attributes and risks rather than on the methods used to produce the products (e.g., genetic modification). They also discuss how the recent development of gene editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 offers an opportunity to rethink the regulation of agricultural biotechnologies, since they enable precise genetic intervention without introducing any foreign or “transgenic” DNA.

• Human Health and Genetic Technology (Opinion) https://www.cell.com/trends/biotechnology/fulltext/S0167-7799(24)00366-4

The regulation of pharmaceuticals and medical treatments that are produced using genetically engineered organisms sits at the crossroads between GMO law and pharmaceutical law. In this opinion paper, Hans-Georg Dederer reflects on human health applications of genetic technology and how innovation and commercialization in this field are impacted by regulation. He discusses success stories in public health, such as insulin produced using genetically modified E. coli, and reflects on the potential of future applications such as targeted gene therapy and xenotransplantation using organs from genetically modified pigs.

• Recombinant DNA: Unlocking untapped microbial potential for innovation in crop agriculture (Review) https://www.cell.com/trends/biotechnology/fulltext/S0167-7799(25)00001-0

Beneficial soil microbes have a huge impact on crop health and yield. In this review article, Aranksha Thakor and Trevor Charles discuss how genetically engineered soil microbes could offer an alternative to chemical fertilizers and pesticides and help plants resist climate stressors such as drought. Thakor and Charles argue that to unlock the full potential of recombinant DNA technology in addressing global challenges, regulatory reform for recombinant-DNA-derived microbial products for crop plants is essential.

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Trends in Biotechnology (@TrendsinBiotech) is a multi-disciplinary Cell Press journal publishing original research and reviews on exciting developments in biotechnology, with the option to publish open access. This journal is a leading global platform for discussion of significant and transformative concepts across applied life sciences that examine bio-based solutions to real-world problems. Trends in Biotechnology provides cutting-edge research that breaks new ground and reviews that provide insights into the future direction of the field, giving the reader a novel point of view. Visit https://www.cell.com/trends/biotechnology. To receive Cell Press media alerts, contact press@cell.com.