Crispr-Cas breeding technique receives Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to the developers of Crispr-Cas. A technique that provides a lot of information about DNA and that can speed up breeding. However, implementation in the European Union does not seem obvious, because the European Court of Justice has ruled that this technique falls under the legal definition of 'genetic modification'.

The French Emmanuelle Charpentier and American Jennifer Doudna have converted the basic knowledge about Crispr-Cas, which was largely developed in the Netherlands, into a useful technique. This technology opens up new possibilities in the agricultural sector as well as in the medical sector. This can be used, for example, to treat or even cure hereditary diseases. The so-called CRISPR-Cas9 technique is a way of making specific changes in the DNA of living cells.

The Netherlands as a frontrunner
If we look at plant breeding, the Netherlands is a frontrunner. For example, various crops have been developed that have a better resistance to diseases and the consequences of climate change. The basis of the technique was developed by John van der Oost. Van der Oost discovered that in bacteria there are certain comparable pieces of genetic material in a row behind each other. Charpentier and Doudna have been able to use this knowledge in such a way that very targeted cuts can now be made in hereditary material from plants, for example.

In this way, a piece of DNA can be rendered useless. This technique also makes it possible to study the function of a particular gene and to modify its properties. Normally it takes 6 to 16 years before a variety with improved characteristics is on the field. And since breeding can accelerate the transition to a sustainable agricultural and horticultural sector, breeders are continuously looking for methods to support this.  

Discussion at European level
The problem is that the technology is still a subject of discussion in Europe. The European Court of Justice has previously ruled that the technology falls under the definition of 'genetic modification'. Many scientists do not agree with this classification, because it mainly concerns crops in which properties of other species have been neglected. These crops, which cannot simply arise in nature, are subject to strict rules and are therefore hardly grown in Europe. It is now important for many parties to amend that legislation, something that the Dutch government is also in favor of. This is because the technology contributes to sustainability.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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