Genome-Editing Products Line up for the Market: Will Europe Harvest the Benefits from Science and Innovation?
Alexios N. Polidoros, Irini Nianiou‐Obeidat, Νικόλαος Τσακιρπάλογλου, Nestor Petrou, Eleftheria Deligiannidou, Nefeli-Maria Makri
Abstract
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technologies have revolutionized genome editing, significantly advancing the improvement of cultivated crop species. This review provides an overview of genome-edited crops that have either reached the market or received the necessary approvals but are not yet available to consumers. We analyze various genome-editing studies to understand the distribution of different genome-editing systems, the types of site-directed nucleases employed, and the geographical spread of these studies, with a specific focus on global and European contexts. Additionally, we examine the target crops involved. The review also outlines the multiple steps required for the legal acceptance of genome-edited crops within European jurisdictions. We conclude with suggestions for the future prospects of genome-editing research in Europe, aiming to streamline the approval process and enhance the development and adoption of genome-edited crops.