Japan: Environment Ministry Proposes Policy for Regulating Genome Editing

On August 29, 2018, the “Advisory Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms” of Japan’s Ministry of Environment held its second meeting to review recommendations made by the expert committee on the handling of genome editing technology under the Cartagena Protocol. The advisory panel concluded that any living organism with foreign nucleotide(s) remained in the host genome should be regulated regardless of whether the foreign nucleotide(s) is detectable. As a result, only “Site-directed nucleases1” will fall outside the scope of existing regulations on genetically engineered organisms in Japan. This proposal has been made available for public comment until October 19, 2018.

Japan: Environment Ministry Proposes Policy for Regulating Genome Editing