NPR

Europe Deals A Blow To CRISPR Technology, U.S. Approves 'Bleeding' Veggie Burger

A European court tightens rules on genetically engineered foods while the U.S. approves a "bleeding" veggie burger that relies on gene editing, sending mixed messages to the industry and consumers.
The European Court of Justice ruled this week that genetic engineering methods - such as the use of certain applications of the gene cutter CRISPR - should be regulated as genetically engineered foods.

Last week was a momentous one for the future of genetically engineered foods, both in the U.S. and in Europe. On July 24, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Impossible Burger, an all-veggie burger that "bleeds" and sizzles just like meat. The burger's star ingredient — a protein called heme that renders blood red and helps make meat a carnivore's delight — was granted GRAS (generally recognized. In 2015, t that the $400 million Silicon Valley startup, Impossible Foods, demonstrate that their heme, made by genetically modified yeast, was safe.

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