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Detection methods: Plants produced using "new genetic engineering" can be identified specifically and unambiguously
Dr Marie-Alice Fraiture at the Non-GMO Summit 2026, Photo: Nina Werth
In addition to information on the specific targeted genetic modification, such detection requires precise and detailed sequence information on the genomic background of the plant line. Combining both of these allows a so-called "genetic fingerprint" to be generated, reported molecular biologist Dr Marie-Alice Fraiture from the Belgian National Institute for Public Health, Sciensano, at the Non-GMO Summit 2026 in Frankfurt. There, the scientist presented the current state of research into detection methods for NGT, on which she and her institute are working as part of the EU DARWIN project.
Extensive information is required to generate a key to "genetic fingerprint"
According to Fraiture, simply detecting the targeted genetic modification is not sufficient to identify unambiguously a specific NGT plant, as the modification could also have arisen in other ways. Therefore, a great deal of additional information is needed from public databases and also from manufacturers in order to generate a "specific key" for each individual NGT plant line.
Once such a key is available, samples can be examined using modern genome sequencing methods to specifically detect the presence of the specific modifications, thereby providing unambiguous results, the researcher explained.
NGT detection methods are important for "Ohne Gentechnik" and Organic
Detection methods also for NGT plants are important tools to ensure that "Ohne Gentechnik" (Non-GMO) and Organic can continue to produce GMO-free food reliably – particularly if mandatory GMO labelling is abolished in future as a result of the planned EU deregulation. The scientific advances in this field presented at the Non-GMO Summit are therefore a positive sign for the food industry. To ensure that such detection methods work effectively across the board, producers of NGT plants should be required to provide the necessary genetic information about their products for the development of such specific methods.
EU DARWIN project develops NGT detection methods
Scientists from various institutions across Europe are participating in the DARWIN project to develop innovative detection methods for traceability and transparency in products derived from new genetic engineering. Fifteen organisations from eleven countries are involved in the EU-funded project, including VLOG. The planned new methods are intended not only to enable the detection of already known DNA sequences (specific detection), but also to identify the method used to generate the DNA modifications (non-specific detection). Furthermore, digital solutions for traceability are to be developed as part of DARWIN.