The UK government has approved the world’s first genetically edited cattle for food, after concluding that it poses no greater risk to human health or the environment than conventional cattle.
The animals, known as horned Herefords, have been developed by US biotech firm Acceligen. The company used a gene-editing technique called CRISPR-Cas9 to remove the gene responsible for the production of horns.
The UK government’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has conducted a thorough safety assessment of the animals and has concluded that they are safe to eat. The FSA also found that the gene-edited cattle do not pose any greater risk to the environment than conventional cattle.
The approval of genetically edited cattle for food is a significant milestone in the development of this technology. It is the first time that a gene-edited animal has been approved for food anywhere in the world.
Gene editing is a powerful technology that has the potential to revolutionize the way we produce food. It could be used to create crops and livestock that are more resistant to pests and diseases, more nutritious, or more productive.
However, there are also concerns about the potential risks of gene editing. Some people worry that it could be used to create animals with unintended consequences, or that it could lead to the creation of new superweeds or superbugs.
The UK government’s approval of gene-edited cattle for food is a step towards understanding the potential benefits and risks of this technology. It is important to remember that this is just one step, and that more research is needed before we can fully understand the impact of gene editing on our food supply.
Here are some additional details about the UK government’s decision:
* The approval only applies to the horned Hereford cattle that have been developed by Acceligen.
* The FSA will continue to monitor the safety of the gene-edited cattle and will take action if any concerns are raised.
* The government has also announced that it will be investing £20 million in research into the use of gene editing in agriculture.
The UK government’s decision is likely to be controversial. Some people will welcome it as a step towards a more sustainable and efficient food production system. Others will be concerned about the potential risks of gene editing. It is important to have a full and open debate about the potential benefits and risks of this technology before we make any further decisions about its use..
