Zilberman, David, Alison Van Eenennaam, Felipe De Figueiredo Silva and Josephine Trott

from ARE Update Vol. 24, No. 4, Mar/Apr, 2021

View Article PDF: The Costs of Overregulating Animal and Plant Biotechnology: Lessons from COVID-19

Abstract

Modern molecular biology offers tools for precisely altering traits of crops and livestock. Similar tools have been used to develop vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. Genetically engineered (GE) crops have been used to produce animal feed and fiber, but rarely approved for human consumption. We estimate that hundreds of thousands of children have died from malnutrition due to delays in the regulatory approval of Golden Rice, and tens of billions of dollars have been lost due to excessive regulations of GE livestock. In light of societal responses to the pandemic, we suggest a reconsideration of current GE regulations given their high cost in lives and treasure.

Keywords

CRISPR, GMO, regulation, adoption, animal disease

Citation

Zilberman, David, Alison Van Eenennaam, Felipe De Figueiredo Silva and Josephine Trott. 2021. "The Costs of Overregulating Animal and Plant Biotechnology: Lessons from COVID-19." ARE Update 24(4): 1-4. University of California Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics.
https://giannini.ucop.edu/filer/file/1619113328/20032/