Today’s food system is under increasing pressure to produce healthy, affordable food for a growing population while reducing environmental impacts. Gene editing has tremendous promise to help food companies and agriculture do just that. But those benefits will only be realized if the technology is accepted and supported by the food system and consumers.
The Coalition for Responsible Gene Editing in Agriculture, a multi-stakeholder coalition that includes representatives from food companies, academia, civil society, technology developers, farmers and related associations, worked collaboratively to develop a Framework for Responsible Use of Gene Editing in Agriculture.
The Framework outlines a series of seven principles and supporting commitments organizations should follow to demonstrate their commitment to using gene editing to support the interests of agriculture, the food system and society in general.
Get involved
Your organization can help the Coalition build trust in gene editing technology and the resulting food products by supporting and/or adopting the Framework. There are several ways your organization can get involved.
Join the Coalition
Organizations can choose from three membership levels: funder, supporter, framework participant. To learn more, register for a free informational webinar. The webinar will be held on March 2, 2022, at 9 a.m. CT. Or contact The Center for Food Integrity to discuss which level of engagement is the best fit for your organization.
Achieve verification
Organizations that join the Coalition as a Framework Participant gain access to a variety of tools to guide and support their organization through the verification process. Framework Participants start with a new member training webinar and then complete a self-evaluation to determine their organization’s readiness. Then an independent third party will verify the organization is operating in conformance with the principles, commitments and management practices outlined in the Framework.
Participants should complete Verification with the Framework within 12 months of joining the Coalition. Verified organizations will be recognized on the Coalition’s website and can promote their verification in communications and marketing materials.
Endorse the Framework
Organizations are encouraged to formally, publicly show their support for the Framework and Responsible Use Guidelines. Endorsers will be recognized in the Coalition’s communications and marketing materials. To date, the Framework and its guidelines have been formally endorsed by Cargill Inc., Costco Wholesale, Genus PLC, FMI – The Food Industry Association, PepsiCo and Tropic Biosciences.
Join the conversation
Download the Coalition’s communications tools and join the conversation about the benefits of gene editing technology. Share the information on your organization’s social media channels and website. When appropriate, talk about the benefits of gene editing in your organization’s thought-leadership initiatives.
The Coalition is administered by the Center for Food Integrity. To learn more about the Coalition and Framework, visit geneediting.foodintegrity.org.