Cibus wrongly claims new gene edited canola traits are non-GMO

The biotech industry’s attempts to muddy the waters about what is genetically engineered and what is not was displayed again recently when gene editing company Cibus issued a press release stating that it “Achieves Critical Milestones for Three Non-GMO Traits to Increase Canola Yield.”

The three canola traits were developed using gene editing. Cibus claims “the new traits precisely edit the canola genome” and that “farmers and consumers can be reassured that Cibus introduces new traits the same way nature does, just faster and more efficiently.”

Cibus also claims that “products derived using Cibus’ patented technology have been certified as non-GMO in countries including the United States, Canada, Argentina and Chile, and the process for review is underway in the European Union and Japan.”

The company doesn’t specify who certified their technology as non-GMO.

In fact, the European Union, the National Organic Program, and the two leading non-GMO certification organizations, the Non-GMO Project and NSF all consider gene editing as a form of genetic engineering.

Calyxt is rejected by The Non-GMO Sourcebook

Cibus isn’t the only company making misleading non-GMO claims about gene edited products. Calyxt, which developed a gene edited high oleic soybean, has labeled oil produced from the soybean as non-GMO and also submitted company information to be listed as a non-GMO supplier in The Non-GMO Sourcebook. Their listing was rejected.

Source: Cibus

To view source article, visit: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191106005350/en/Cibus-Achieves-Critical-Milestones-Non-GMO-Traits-Increase