Genome editing and food safety: bridging the validation gap

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Food Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Genome editing technologies offer potential for improving food safety and nutritional quality.
• Current validation of genome editing focuses heavily on molecular precision, often overlooking broader food system implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize evidence on the translation of genome edits through various stages of the food system.
• To identify and address the validation gap between technical metrics and food-safety-relevant endpoints.
• To propose a comprehensive validation framework for genome editing in food.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing evidence on genome editing translation.
• Analysis of how edits manifest through phenotypes, food matrices, processing, microbial ecology, and dietary exposure.
• Development of a multi-layered validation framework proposal.

Main Results:

• A persistent validation gap exists between early-stage technical metrics and food-safety-relevant endpoints.
• Genome edit outcomes are influenced by complex interactions within food matrices, processing, and microbial ecosystems.
• Current validation strategies are insufficient for assessing real-world food safety implications.

Conclusions:

• An exposure-anchored, multi-layered validation framework is essential for genome editing in food.
• This framework should incorporate omics data, post-harvest behavior, and post-market monitoring.
• Closing the validation gap is crucial for ensuring measurable improvements in food system safety and consumer protection.