Category FAQ

Questions and answers on genome editing and CRISPR/Cas9

Current evaluation

Changes compared to the version of 27 October 2022: Update on the new EU regulation on the use of NGT in plants, question on the market situation in the EU

What it's about:

Genome editing is a collective term for new methods that make it possible to carry out targeted interventions in the genetic material (genome) of a cell. The potential applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in particular have already been described in a large number of publications. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) is scientifically monitoring this development in the interests of consumer health protection. In the following, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has answered the most important questions on the subject of genome editing and in particular on the CRISPR/Cas9 method.

In April 2017, a group of scientific experts from the European Commission published an assessment of new technologies in agricultural biotechnology. 

External Link:http://ec.europa.eu/research/sam/pdf/topics/explanatory_note_new_techniques_agricultural_biotechnology.pdf

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) made a legal assessment that genome editing is part of genetic engineering in a judgement in July 2018: 

External Link:http://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?language=de&td=ALL&num=C-528/16

The possibilities of detection of food and feed produced using new mutagenesis methods were analysed by the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL).

On 14 March 2025, the Polish proposal (ST-6426/25) for a new regulation for applications of new genomic techniques (NGT) in plants was adopted by the Council of the EU by qualified majority. This means that the trilogue procedure between the Commission, the EU Parliament and the Council can begin with the aim of establishing a new EU regulation for NGT applications in the future.

Questions and answers on genome editing and CRISPR/Cas9

About the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMELshort forGerman Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture) in Germany. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment advises the Federal Government and the States (‘Laender’) on questions of food, chemicals and product safety. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts independent research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.

This text version is a translation of the original German text which is the only legally binding version.