FP: Bioøkfelles -Assessment of econ. and bio. implications, prospects and risks by implementation of new gene tools in modern bio-production

The EcoGene project seeks to explore the opportunities and challenges arising from the use of the latest gene editing (GE) tools as it relates to for instance Norwegian salmon and pig producers. We investigate how targeted changes in DNA sequence, accomplished by using GE-tools such as CRISPR, effect the target genes as well as other gene systems, using the fish species zebrafish as a model. We also investigate the socioeconomic and value-based consequences of using these gene tools, both for the industry and the society/market in general. The biotechnology and bio-production sectors are keen to adopt technologies that can offer a competitive advantage in the global market. The technology and competence required to apply GE in production species is rapidly developing and has the potential to be swiftly transformed into innovative products and processes, and the potential costs and benefits of powerful new tools like GE should be carefully evaluated. A goal in this project is therefore to meld biological and social science perspectives to risk assessment guideline and develop a precautionary approach to responsible implementation of this technology. This should include increased awareness of the necessary assessments that must be made and of the overall responsibility, both with the authorities and the business actors, as well as the potential extra value creation at the industrial and socioeconomic level. Our first publication, together with Kristiania University College, is a peer reviewed paper on the process that allowed the Aquadvantage Salmon, from the American company AquaBounty, to be the first gene edited product to be approved by United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The juridical and political hurdles, from the first GE fish to merchantable product, took them close to 20 years to overcome, and still the product faces societal oppositions in the market. Experiments within the project are used to provide information about unintended off-target gene-editing effects as well as the eventual effects on the expression of other genes. Zebrafish is a well characterised species that can be used as a model and will allow us to measure changes over generations (few months) within the time frame of a research project like this. Our experiments can thus provide preliminary quantification of unintended gene effects and a clue to potential gains and risks that must be considered when using the new and promising gene editing tools.

EcoGene will assess the opportunities and challenges of new gene editing tools in Norwegian bio-production, with particular emphasis on salmon production, but also in livestock, like pig. We will study genetic interaction effects in zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model species. An important factor for the use of gene editing is the interaction effects between genes. Zebrafish provide the opportunity to measure changes over generations (ca 4 months) within the time frame of the research project. Further, we will uncover the monetary and non-monetary (i.e. social) consequences of new gene editing tools for salmon and pork production. Biotechnology / bio-production is a rapidly expanding and evolving field, and the implementation of new discoveries may lead to unexpected consequences. One aim of the combination of biological and social scientific perspectives in EcoGene is to assess risk / precautionary approach associated with the implementation of this technology. Scientific discoveries in the field of biotechnology is associated with innovation and supply a market demand for new processes. Thus, the responsibility, awareness and conscious deliberation of stakeholders is pertinent. Biotechnological experiments will provide improved information on the uncertainty and complexity involved in the application of CRISPR. This uncertainty may e.g. be associated with the unintended changes in gene effects (additive or non-additive) or unexpected changes in other traits. The biological and social science perspectives of this project are concerned with the use of gene editing in bio-production, and together these perspectives can bring about a result that raises the level of knowledge about the implementation of this new gene-editing tool. In this project, the zebrafish experiment will provide actual quantification of the potential risk involved with CRISPR. In an innovation process this information is imperative to assess the effects of CRISPR manipulation in two real cases.