New techniques in molecular biology challenge the assessment of modified organisms

Abstract

In recent years, new techniques in molecular biology have spread in mainstream research and development of genetically modified organisms. These techniques differ from the classical approach of adding an exogenous gene to the genome of a target organism to obtain a desired phenotype as they aim at modifying endogenous genes or gene expression. Of greatest importance to regulatory administration in BVL are techniques using RNA-Interference and genome editing methods. RNA-Interference techniques aim at suppression of endogenous gene activity, while genome editing techniques allow complex modifications of one or several genes. With these methods the focus of action switches from the insertion of protein-encoding DNA towards the introduction of regulatory small RNA molecules.