DowDuPont is expressing disappointment with a recent European Union court decision on genetically modified food.
The EU Court of Justice ruled that new techniques of genetic engineering should be subject to safety checks and consumer labeling. The court decided the new methods to alter the DNA of plant or animal cells must be regulated similar to existing genetically modified foods, or GMOs.
The ruling is a major setback for proponents of gene-edited crops, like DowDuPont, which sees it as burdensome regulation. The company has developed a technology allowing it to cut and paste DNA for crops like corn.
Gregg Schmidt, with the agricultural division of DowDuPont, said in a statement that the technology will benefit farmers and consumers by making vegetables healthier and more resistant to disease and droughts.
"As a global leader in the field of plant breeding innovation, we will continue our work to bring innovative and sustainable solutions to farmers and consumers around the world through conventional techniques and innovative technologies like CRISPR-Cas," he said.
Schmidt continued to say in the statement that they encourage EU policy makers to propose more workable legislation.
