It’s official: gene-edited products will be classed as GMOs in the EU

Alban Grosdidier/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty

Organisms created by methods that alter the DNA, including CRISPR gene editing, should be subject to the same EU laws as genetically modified organisms, the European Court of Justice ruled today.

The ruling is being hailed as a victory for environmentalists. However, the effect might make it so expensive to launch gene-edited crops that few organisations besides big multinationals will be able to do it. The decision will have global reverberations because the EU is such a huge market.

All new varieties …