Lack of legal framework for genome-edited crops will put Vietnam at a disadvantage

Benefits of genome-edited crops

“Plant breeding is an ongoing process with the ultimate goal of developing plant varieties with desired traits,” affirms Dr. Dang Ngoc Chi, Chair of the Biotech-Seeds Committee, CropLife Vietnam.

Gene editing is a the biotechnological breakthrough, developed and researched since the early 21st century. This technology represents a major leap forward, building on plant breeding methods that have existed for thousands of years. It uses scientific knowledge derived from our growing understanding of gene sequences and the mechanisms by which genes function in plants.

According to Dr. Dang Ngoc Chi, gene editing enables breeders to work directly with a plant's own genome, achieving results that are attainable with traditional methods but with far greater precision and efficiency.

Genome-edited (GE) crops are regarded as a powerful tool for sustainable agriculture, offering solutions to many challenges posed by climate change, with numerous benefits for farmers, consumers, and the environment.

Meanwhile, genetic modification (GM) introduces foreign DNA into plants to produce targeted changes and achieve desired traits. This process results in transgenic plants that carry genes not naturally present in the species, or that cannot be produced through traditional breeding methods.

Global policy landscape

According to the report titled “Genome Editing Market Size, Share, Trends & Forecast,” published in October 2024 by Market Research Intellect, the gene editing technology market was valued at USD 5.88 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 6.2 billion by 2031.

Globally, priority crops selected and improved using gene editing technology include cereals such as rice, corn, wheat, and soybeans, as well as other crops like tomatoes, cassava, cotton, potatoes, and citrus. Since the onset of research and development, the number of countries establishing a legal framework for GE crops has been steadily increasing.

Over the past five years, Asian countries have been working to expedite the completion of a legal framework for scientifically-based GE crops. Many nations regard this as a vital agricultural solution within their national development strategies, especially in response to the growing challenges posed by climate change in the region.

In Southeast Asia, countries are reviewing their legal frameworks and are expected to make significant strides in 2024 toward providing specific guidelines for gene editing technology. The Philippines is a regional leader in regulatory guidance, having approved the use and commercialization of several GE crops. Thailand and Singapore implemented regulatory frameworks for these crops in August 2024, while Indonesia is currently in the drafting and consultation phase.

Overall, Southeast Asian nations, along with countries in the Americas, generally adopt a similar approach to regulating genetically modified (GM) and GE crops. If the final product does not contain foreign DNA, it is licensed and regulated as if it were developed through conventional hybridization methods.

Although Europe has not historically embraced genetically modified crops, the European Commission (EC) is proposing regulatory changes to classify certain GE methods as conventional, thereby exempting them from the same regulations that govern GMOs. Several African nations have also introduced or are in the process of developing regulatory guidelines for GE crops.

Among the various traits being studied to enhance crop quality, nearly 50% focus on improving composition and flavor, followed by traits related to pest and pesticide resistance, environmental resilience, color alteration, productivity enhancement, longevity, and growth.

International trust in MARD’s leading role

The application of biotechnology in agriculture is a key priority for the Vietnamese Government in its sustainable agricultural development strategy. This strategy encourages the use of gene editing technology to create high-quality crop varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases and can adapt to adverse weather conditions.

Vietnam has a relatively comprehensive legal framework for assessing, registering, and managing GM crops and traditional crops. However, as of now, there are no clear guidelines for GE crops, which has resulted in a lag in the roadmap for the application and commercialization of these products compared to other countries in the region and around the world.

Dr. Sonny Tababa, Director of CropLife Biotechnology Asia, emphasizes the importance of completing the legal framework for GE crops. She states, “The delay in issuing legal guidance for GE crops will create significant disadvantages for Vietnam in terms of scientific research and trade, and it will also limit domestic farmers' access to improved seed sources.”

In light of this, CropLife Asia recommends that Vietnam expedite the completion of a specific legal framework for GE crops and crop products developed through improved breeding methods. This legal framework should be science-based, forward-looking, and harmonized with international standards to maximize the potential of the technology while ensuring the effective and sustainable application of these solutions within the broader context of agricultural development.

Based on the experiences and approaches of various countries, the legal supplementation process should include a review of relevant regulations concerning the management of biotechnology crops as well as crops in general. It should examine the Vietnamese Law on Biodiversity and its guiding documents, along with the Law on Cultivation and its associated regulations, to clarify the definitions for each type of crop developed through different techniques. Specifically, it is essential to define GM crops clearly and to include definitions for GE crops and those created using advanced breeding methods.

From this point, it is essential to revise or supplement the regulatory guidance for each crop type. For instance, GE crops whose final products do not contain foreign DNA should not be subjected to the regulatory framework for GM crops. Additionally, some GE crops should be considered akin to those created through conventional hybridization methods. It is also crucial to revise or supplement technical regulations as necessary to support and promote the cultivation of gene-edited crops in Vietnam.

CropLife Asia representative recommends that Vietnam look to advanced models from countries such as Canada, Argentina, Japan, and particularly its neighboring countries within the ASEAN bloc. The regulations on gene editing in the Philippines and Singapore offer several advantages and serve as models that could be adapted for Vietnam. This approach is especially critical in the current context of global environmental, climate, and economic challenges.

The International Seed Federation (ISF) holds the view that products developed using gene editing technology should not be classified as genetically modified crops if the crop does not carry a new genetic combination or if the final product contains only a stable insertion of genetic material inherited from varieties within the same species.