Legume Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 215-224 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 219 5 Regulatory and Biosafety Considerations 5.1 Global regulatory landscape for gene editing The attitudes of different countries towards gene editing actually vary quite a lot. In some places, such as the United States and Argentina, only the "result" is considered-as long as the final product does not contain exogenous DNA, even if high-tech means are used, the regulatory authorities will not regard it as genetically modified organisms, which is basically the same as traditional breeding (Custers et al., 2019). But in some regions, it is not so lenient. The EU follows a "process-oriented" approach. Regardless of whether foreign fragments are introduced or not, as long as gene editing technology is used, it must be controlled in accordance with transgenic standards and undergo a complete set of strict risk assessments before being marketed (Zhang et al., 2020). Moreover, international agreements like the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, although providing a unified framework, have their own decisions on how to understand and implement them (Movahedi et al., 2023). Interestingly, some African and Asian countries are still "catching up". Either their systems have not yet been established, or they lack technology and manpower, and the public is not very familiar with this matter. 5.2 Off-target effects and genomic stability Ultimately, what everyone is most worried about is still "What if something goes wrong?" No matter how precise the CRISPR/Cas technology is, it cannot guarantee that the operation will only be performed at the predetermined position each time. Off-target effects may quietly modify other genes and sometimes bring about some unexpected phenotypes, such as triggering allergic reactions or generating certain potential toxicities (El-Mounadi et al., 2020). However, the good news is that technology has indeed advanced in recent years. For instance, high-fidelity Cas proteins and optimized guide RNA designs have significantly reduced risks, but they are still far from being "completely resolved" (Han et al., 2020). Regulatory authorities are now paying increasing attention to this aspect, requiring developers to provide detailed molecular data, conduct off-target detection specifically, and prove that there are no redundant transgenic fragments in the plant (Eckerstorfer et al., 2019). Moreover, it's not over once they are put on the shelves. Continuous monitoring is still necessary in the future. Any issues should be made public and clearly stated. Only in this way can we ensure that these crops are stable and safe at the genetic level (Lema, 2021). 5.3 Public perception and market acceptance Not everyone can accept "edited food" at once. How the public views it largely depends on whether they can understand the underlying scientific principles and whether the regulation is transparent. In some countries that treat gene editing and traditional breeding equally, people tend to be less resistant, especially when the product itself does not contain genetically modified components (Lema, 2019). However, we cannot ignore those voices that still have concerns-worries about ethics, potential risks, and uncontrollable consequences, especially in areas with strict regulations on genetically modified organisms, which are quite common (Kalidasan and Das, 2021). If the market is to better accept these new products, relying solely on the technology itself is not enough. How to communicate, how to write labels, and whether stakeholders can participate all directly affect the future fate of gene-edited crops such as lentils (Rabuma et al., 2024). 6 Case Study: Development of Imazethapyr-Resistant Lentils in Canada 6.1 Project background and objectives In Canada, when growing lentils, one is not afraid of drought or pests, but is most afraid of weeds. Once not well controlled, a decline in output will be obvious to the naked eye. Lentils themselves are not very competitive. Once weeds grow wildly, they simply cannot be suppressed. Herbicides like imidazolicotinic acid, although broad-spectrum and highly effective, have a problem-they are also "tough" on common lentils. Even the recommended doses may lead to reduced crop yields (Wall and Mcmullan, 1994). To solve this difficult problem, the breeding team in Canada decided to change their approach, with a clear goal: to develop a resistant lactil that can withstand the later application of imidazolicin, making weeding in the fields more flexible and effective, and the cultivation more stable.
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