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海大5000万元买“无刺草鱼”技术引热议,基因编辑是丰饶之角还是潘多拉魔盒

Core Viewpoint - The recent investment of 50 million yuan by Haida Group in "spine-free grass carp" gene editing technology has sparked significant discussion, highlighting the contrasting perceptions of gene editing as either a boon or a Pandora's box in agriculture [2][5]. Group 1: Gene Editing Technology Overview - Gene editing is referred to as the "5G technology" of agriculture, focusing on precise modifications of an organism's own genes without introducing foreign genes, which distinguishes it from traditional genetic modification [4][11][13]. - The efficiency of gene editing is notable, with the time required to cultivate a new variety being significantly reduced to 4-6 years compared to 8-12 years for transgenic breeding [25][26]. Group 2: Regulatory Challenges - Despite advancements, the commercialization of gene-edited animals in China faces hurdles due to stringent regulations that equate gene-edited animals with transgenic organisms, requiring extensive safety evaluations [36][37]. - Currently, there are no established safety evaluation guidelines for agricultural gene-edited animals in China, which hampers their market entry [42][43]. Group 3: Global Context and Future Prospects - Internationally, countries like Argentina, the USA, and Japan have approved various gene-edited animal products, indicating a faster pace of commercialization compared to transgenic animals [72]. - The potential for China's gene-edited animals to capitalize on the current global momentum could significantly influence the future landscape of the aquaculture industry [73].