Genomic Editing: The Evolution in Regulatory Management Accompanying Scientific Progress.

Argentina currently has a regulation for genome-editing products whose criteria were updated as consultations were received to determine the regulatory status of these products. The aim of this regulation is to consider all organisms (animals, micro-organisms and plants) under the same NBT resolution independently and without being linked to commercial Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) regulations. This gives certainty to local researchers and developers (teams of local developers and researchers), which can be seen in the number of developments and consultations carried out.

Update of Argentina's Regulatory Policies on the Environmental Risk Assessment.

The Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) of genetically modified (GM) crops in Argentina is carried out by the National Advisory Commission on Agricultural Biotechnology (CONABIA) and the Innovation and Biotechnology Coordination (CIyB). Both have a large experience with this assessment, since 1991, when CONABIA was created. The continuous support to biotechnology as a state policy and as part of the decision to encourage developers in the regulatory process has helped make progress in the revision of the regulations.

Optimized somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in elite Argentinian sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) cultivars.

Background: Biotechnological breeding of elite sugarcane cultivars is currently limited because of the difficulty of regenerating plants by tissue culture. Here, we report that commercially elite sugarcane genotypes, which are adapted to Argentinian agro-ecological conditions, are capable of being regenerated via indirect somatic embryogenesis. Leaf rolls of five elite genotypes were cultured following two callus induction protocols using different concentrations of 2,4-D as the growth regulator.

Argentina's Local Crop Biotechnology Developments: Why Have They Not Reached the Market Yet?

Plant biotechnology in Argentina started at the end of the 1980s, leading to the development of numerous research groups in public institutions and, a decade later, to some local private initiatives. The numerous scientific and technological capacities existing in the country allowed the early constitution in 1991 of a sound genetically modified organisms biosafety regulatory system. The first commercial approvals began in 1996, and to date, 59 events have obtained permits to be placed on the market, however, only two have been developed locally by public-private partnerships.