US reverts to older, stricter rules for genetically engineered plants
What happened
A federal court has overturned a 2020 rule that made it easier to get approval for genetically modified organisms. This means the US government will now use the older, more restrictive regulations for these products.
Why it matters
For four years, developers of genetically engineered plants had a clearer, faster path to market. Now, they face the same complex and time-consuming approval process that existed before 2020. This shift could slow down the introduction of new crops designed for things like pest resistance or drought tolerance.
The signal
Watch for new guidance from the Agriculture Department on how it will apply the pre-2020 rules, and whether developers of genetically engineered organisms challenge this decision or slow their research.