Speaker
Description
Genome editing stands at the forefront of biotechnological innovation in modern agriculture, enabling precise and accelerated alterations of plant genomes. This technology offers transformative potential to enhance crop yield, bolster resistance to pathogens, and improve tolerance to abiotic stresses—traits that are increasingly critical in the context of global climate disruption. Regulatory frameworks worldwide remain heterogeneous: while countries such as the United States, Brazil, and New Zealand classify genome-edited organisms under existing GMO legislation, others, including Argentina and Colombia, have adopted more permissive stances when no foreign genetic material is introduced. Across Africa and Asia, however, many nations—including Morocco—have yet to establish dedicated regulatory policies, highlighting a significant gap in governance amidst growing biotechnological advances.
In Morocco, genome editing holds significant promise for addressing critical challenges related to food security and climate adaptation. However, its deployment remains constrained by the absence of a dedicated regulatory framework. This regulatory vacuum stems from multiple interconnected factors: the scientific complexity inherent in genome editing technologies, limited institutional expertise in biosafety governance, insufficient coordination among relevant authorities, and a general lack of awareness or understanding of the technology at both policymaking and public levels.
To address the regulatory barriers surrounding genome editing in Morocco, it is imperative to reinforce both institutional and scientific capacities. This includes the targeted training of experts in biotechnology law, risk assessment, and biosafety, as well as the establishment of a multidisciplinary national committee bringing together scientists, legal scholars, agronomists, and policymakers. Regulatory frameworks should adopt a differentiated and proportionate approach, drawing inspiration from international models such as Argentina and Colombia, where genome-edited products lacking foreign DNA are excluded from GMO classification—thus fostering innovation while ensuring traceability and safety. Moreover, public communication and consultation policies are essential to enhance social acceptability. These should involve structured stakeholder dialogue, public awareness campaigns, and greater transparency in risk governance. By integrating these pillars—capacity-building, regulatory flexibility, and societal engagement—Morocco can unlock the full potential of genome editing to develop a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient agricultural future.
