Articles | Earlham Institute

26 January 2021

FEATURE | 15 min READ

Gene editing: why scientists need to be part of the conversation

With the UK no longer a member of the European Union, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has opened a public consultation on the regulation of gene editing in England. We spoke to Synthetic Biology Group Leader, Dr Nicola Patron about her view of the debate and why it’s important for scientists to share their expertise with policymakers.

FEATURE | 5 min READ

The case for the UK to embrace gene edited crops

Gene editing could allow incredible crop improvements, with the potential to reduce the harmful impact of agrochemicals on biodiversity while boosting yield. However, the recent European Court of Justice ruling that gene editing be regarded the same as GM poses a huge barrier to farmers and hamstrings European science.

FEATURE | 5 min READ

Sex attracts: can plant pheromones control crop pests?

We find out the story behind the study Project SUSPHIRE - a SynBio method that aims to produce the first bio manufactured pheromone pesticide.