International Regulation of Gene Editing Technologies in Crops: Current Status and Future Trends

This open access book analyzes the regulation and governance of gene editing in the global agrifood system as applications of gene editing, regulations and the intellectual property landscape continue to evolve. The primary focus of the manuscript is the dynamic interactions between regulatory frameworks and agricultural applications of gene editing in plant breeding. The goal is to give readers a holistic perspective on why the status of gene editing in agricultural applications is in a state of flux in some jurisdictions (e.g., the European Union) while more settled in others (e.g., Canada). Readers are provided with a clearer picture of what the future might hold for the use of gene editing in agriculture as a means to address food insecurity as the climate crisis grows and amid global geopolitical and economic turbulence.

Dr. Lisa F. Clark is a Research Associate with the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Saskatchewan. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Simon Fraser University, with specializations in public policy and international relations. Her research interests include innovative technologies in the agrifood system, food policy, food quality standards & labelling and food security. Lisa has published research on the organic food sector, plant-based proteins, global food security, as well as geographical indications & climate change. Her forthcoming publications focus on Indigenous agriculture and innovations in Arctic food systems.

Dr. Jill E. Hobbs is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Saskatchewan. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen and is a Fellow of the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society. Her research interests include agri-food supply chains, food policy, and consumer behaviour. She has published widely on topics ranging from consumer responses to new food technologies, the regulation of health foods, public and private standards for food safety and food quality, and supply chain resilience in the agri-food sector.