Is gene-edited food safe to eat?

Yes. Gene-edited crops make the same types of genetic changes that occur naturally through random mutation — just more precisely and efficiently. No foreign DNA from other species is introduced. The UK Food Standards Agency, DEFRA, and the European Food Safety Authority have all concluded that precision-bred organisms pose no greater risk than conventionally bred varieties. The UK Precision Breeding Act 2023 provides a science-based regulatory framework specifically for these products.

What is the difference between gene editing and GMO?

Gene editing (like CRISPR) makes targeted changes to an organism's own DNA — similar to natural mutations but faster and more precise. GMOs involve inserting DNA from a different species into the organism. The UK Precision Breeding Act 2023 legally distinguishes between the two: gene-edited organisms with changes that could have occurred naturally are regulated separately from GMOs, with a simpler approval pathway. Precision Plants uses gene editing, not GMO technology.

How does CRISPR work on plants?

Precision breeding technology makes precise modifications to plant DNA at targeted locations. The plant's natural repair mechanisms incorporate the changes, resulting in varieties with specific improved traits. In Precision Plants' case, our Stackatrait™ cannabinoid modification makes the plant genetically incapable of producing THC above trace levels.

What is the UK Precision Breeding Act 2023?

The Precision Breeding Act 2023 is UK legislation that creates a separate regulatory framework for precision-bred plants and animals in England. It recognises that gene-edited organisms (where no foreign DNA is introduced) are fundamentally different from GMOs. The Act came into force in November 2025 with implementing regulations, providing a clear, science-based pathway for companies like Precision Plants to bring gene-edited varieties to market without the lengthy GMO approval process.

Who regulates gene-edited crops in the UK?

In England, gene-edited crops are regulated by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) and APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) under the Precision Breeding Act 2023. The Food Standards Agency assesses food safety. For hemp specifically, the Home Office also oversees cultivation licensing. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland currently follow EU-style GMO regulations and do not yet have separate precision breeding frameworks.

Can gene editing eliminate THC in hemp completely?

Precision Plants' Stackatrait™ platform delivers 10-13 CRISPR/Cas9 edits per variety, with proprietary cannabinoid modification as the core module. Our varieties consistently test below 0.01% THC — which is at the limit of analytical detection and 20 times below the UK legal limit of 0.2%. While trace amounts may still be present from residual metabolic pathways, the levels are so low that crop destruction due to THC non-compliance becomes impossible.

The Science

Science & Technology

How CRISPR gene-editing is solving hemp's THC compliance problem and unlocking British hemp cultivation

Hemp Gene Editing Science: Quick Facts

How Precision Plants uses CRISPR technology to improve hemp

What technology is used?: CRISPR-Cas9 precision gene editing — the same Nobel Prize-winning technology used across global agriculture. Makes targeted edits to the plant's own DNA without introducing foreign genes.Learn more →
Is it GMO?: No. Gene-edited crops are not classified as GMOs under UK law. The Precision Breeding Act 2023 created a separate, streamlined regulatory pathway for precision-bred organisms.(UK Parliament)
Key Innovation: Stackatrait™ platform combines multiple precision trait modifications per variety across five categories across three modules (Cannabinoid Modification, Climate Resilience) plus variety-specific trait categories (Cannabinoid Modification, Seed Yield & Oil, Fibre Quality, Root & Carbon, and Climate Resilience).Learn more →
THC Solution: cannabinoid modification gene permanently disabled via CRISPR/Cas9 knockout. All three varieties achieve <0.01% THC regardless of environmental stress — verified across peer-reviewed research.
Research Validation: Field trials conducted at Rothamsted Research (est. 1843), the world's longest-running agricultural research station, with DEFRA funding support.Learn more →
Safety: CRISPR edits are identical to changes that occur naturally through random mutation. No foreign DNA, no antibiotic resistance markers, no novel proteins.Learn more →

Last updated: 15 January 2026

Precision Plants uses CRISPR-Cas9 to deliver multiple precision trait modifications per variety. The Stackatrait™ platform addresses five core trait categories — regulatory compliance, agronomic performance, processing quality, environmental resilience, and climate adaptation — all within a single variety. Three varieties are in development: BritGrain Auto™ (grain specialist), LongLine Fibre™ (fibre specialist), YieldMax Duo™ (dual-purpose).

The science is validated through a formal research partnership with Rothamsted Research and supported by £912,000 in DEFRA government funding. Under the Precision Breeding Act 2023, these gene-edited varieties follow a streamlined regulatory pathway in England, distinct from GMO regulation. — Precision Breeding Act 2023

Learn about Stackatrait™ technology

Stackatrait™ precision breeding technology by Precision Plants for multi-trait hemp optimisation

Explore Our Science

Precision Plants combines cutting-edge CRISPR technology with world-class research partnerships to develop hemp varieties that are genetically incapable of exceeding THC limits.

5 Trait Categories

Stackatrait™ Technology

Our proprietary multi-trait gene-editing platform that combines THC elimination with enhanced agronomic traits.

Learn more

Single-Gene Precision

CRISPR Platform

Technical details of our precision gene-editing approach using CRISPR-Cas9 technology.

Learn more

7 Key Partners

Research Partners

Our world-class academic and industry partners validating our science.

Learn more

2025 Trial Data

Field Trials & Data

Results from our Rothamsted Research trials and ongoing field studies.

Learn more

Backed by World-Class Research

Our science is validated by leading UK institutions

£912k Funding

Academic Partner

Field Trials

Regulatory Partner

The Industry Challenge

The THC Compliance Problem

Hemp and marijuana are the same species (Cannabis sativa). The only legal distinction is THC content: below 0.2% = hemp (legal), above 0.2% = controlled substance.

Current EU-bred varieties were developed for continental European climates. When grown in UK conditions (longer days, cooler temperatures, variable weather), THC levels become unpredictable. 15-30% of UK hemp crops exceed legal limits, resulting in mandatory destruction and total financial loss.

15-30%

EU Varieties in UK

Non-compliance rate

100%

Crop Destruction Risk

If THC exceeds 0.2%

None

Insurance Coverage

For THC-related losses

Low

Farmer Confidence

Due to unpredictable genetics

Why EU Varieties Fail in the UK

🌡️

Climate Mismatch

EU varieties bred for warmer, drier continental conditions

☀️

Photoperiod Sensitivity

UK's longer summer days trigger stress responses

🌙

Temperature Stress

Cool UK nights increase THC synthesis

🧬

Genetic Instability

Traditional breeding can't lock in low-THC traits

🇬🇧

No UK Breeding

No British hemp genetics programme exists

Our Solution

Precision Breeding with Stackatrait™

Precision Plants uses CRISPR gene-editing to disable the THC synthesis pathway at the genetic level. Through our cannabinoid modification technology, we create varieties that cannot produce THC above trace levels, regardless of environmental conditions.

This isn't about suppressing THC - it's about eliminating the genetic capacity to produce it. The result: designed-in compliance, targeting every field, every season.

<0.01%

THC Level Guarantee

Precision-bred genetics

100%

Compliance Rate

Zero crop destruction

High

Farmer Confidence

Predictable, reliable

Full

Market Access

All end markets open

Core Technology

CRISPR Gene-Editing Technology

CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary gene-editing tool that allows precise modifications to DNA. It works like molecular scissors, cutting DNA at specific locations to disable or modify genes.

Precision

multiple precision trait modifications per variety with no foreign DNA. Each edit backed by peer-reviewed research (Nature Genetics, Science, Plant Cell).

Speed

3-5 years vs 10-15 years for traditional breeding. Faster route to market-ready varieties.

Safety

No transgenic material. Regulated under UK Precision Breeding Act (2023) - not GMO classification.

Natural

Creates changes that could occur naturally through mutation. Accelerates evolution, doesn't replace it.

How Our Gene-Editing Works

🔬

Step 1

Identify Target

Identify cannabinoid pathway responsible for THC production

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Step 2

Design Guide

Create guide RNA to direct CRISPR to exact location

✂️

Step 3

Make Edit

CRISPR-Cas9 cuts DNA, cell repair disables gene

✅

Step 4

Validate

Confirm edit, grow plants, verify THC elimination

UK Regulatory Framework

Precision Breeding Act 2023

The UK's Precision Breeding Act (2023) creates a clear regulatory pathway for gene-edited crops. Unlike GMOs, precision-bred organisms (PBOs) that could have occurred naturally are now regulated separately - with a streamlined approval process.

No foreign DNA = Not classified as GMO

Streamlined regulatory approval pathway

Clear labelling requirements

UK-first regulatory advantage

UK Legislation

Precision Breeding Act 2023

Regulatory Status

Precision Bred Organism (PBO)

Classification

Not GMO

Market Access

Full UK Market

Frequently Asked

Gene Editing & Hemp Science: People Also Ask

Common questions about precision breeding and hemp genetics

Rothamsted Research - world-leading agricultural science partner for Precision Plants hemp trials

Field Trials at Rothamsted Research

We grew our first test variety at Rothamsted in 2025. View our trial data, methodology, and results from the UK's leading agricultural research institution.