<p>By David Fikes, Executive Director, FMI Foundation </p><div class="mg-image–circular" style="float:right;margin:10px;"><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/gr-staff-photos/collard-greens_sm.jpg?sfvrsn=6a64bc4d_1" style="float:right;" alt="collard greens" sf-size="172550" /><p> </p><p>The <a href="https://www.fmi.org/foundation"></a></p></div><a href="https://www.fmi.org/foundation">FMI Foundation</a> recently hosted the first in a two-part digital seminar series designed to help FMI members prepare for
the market release of gene-edited food products. The discussion featured presentations from three companies involved in various stages of gene-edited food development:
<p> </p><ul><li>Dr. Natalie DiNicola of <a href="https://bensonhill.com/">Benson Hill</a> shared a basic overview of the gene editing technology and how it is applied in seed development. </li><li>Megan Thomas, vice president of communications and marketing for <a href="https://www.pairwise.com/">Pairwise</a>, provided information about consumer reaction to a new gene-edited leafy green that the company has tested in
three consumer markets and will soon release for public purchase. </li><li>Dr. Kevin Diehl of <a href="https://www.corteva.com/">Corteva Agriscience</a> presented an update of his company’s experience of the domestic and international regulatory climate regarding gene-edited food products. </li></ul><p>The group fielded questions from the seminar participants, with inquiries ranging from the relationship of gene-edited products to organic standards to concerns about pregnant mothers consuming gene-edited foods. There were also several inquiries about
the patent issues surrounding gene-edited seeds. </p><p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/preparing-for-the-arrival-of-gene-edited-food-products" class="button">Watch the On-Demand Digital Seminar</a> </p><h5>What’s Up Next For Gene Editing Education?</h5><p>Our next webinar will feature information about the <a href="https://foodintegrity.org/programs/gene-editing-agriculture/">Responsible Use of Gene Editing</a><i>,</i> a platform developed by the <a href="https://foodintegrity.org/">Center for Food Integrity</a> with input from FMI and other stakeholders including seed companies, consumer groups, and food industry representatives. Companies using the platform as a means of providing information and promoting
transparency surrounding their employment of the new food technology will share their experiences. </p><p><a href="mailto:dfikes@fmi.org" class="button">Interested in Attending? Contact Us!</a></p><h5>Time to Start Thinking </h5><p>In terms of measuring company readiness for the advent of gene edited food products, FMI offers the following questions for internal consideration and discussion: </p><ul><li>Is your company going to make a policy determination about gene editing as a process, or will it make stocking decisions on a product-by-product basis?</li><li>Will your company distinguish between gene-edited plant products and gene-edited animal products in your positioning? (Gene-edited animals – specifically, a more disease-resistant pig – are currently under USDA review and are likely a
year or two away from marketplace readiness.) </li><li>Are company associates prepared to answer customer questions about this new food technology? If not, what is being done to prepare them?</li><li>Will your company preemptively publish its policy and gene editing determinations in public venues such as website, app, or circular or will it wait to react to consumer questions? </li><li>What can the company be doing now to prevent gene editing from falling into the potholes experienced with GMO products? </li><li>How important is it that retailers and manufacturers help consumers understand the difference between GMO products and gene-edited products? If too much is made of the distinctiveness of gene editing, is there a risk of disparaging products bearing
GMO ingredients? </li></ul><p>Additional resources including a white paper, research on consumer attitudes toward gene edited food products, and access to previous digital seminars are available on our <a href="https://www.fmi.org/industry-topics/biotechnology">biotechnology page</a>. For additional information, please contact me at <a href="mailto:dfikes@fmi.org">dfikes@fmi.org</a>. </p>
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