Tracking GMOs in the Gene Editing Era: Frédéric Debode on the Science of GMO Detection

In this episode of Mendelspod, Theral speaks with Frédéric Debode, Scientific Director at CRA-W in Wallonia, Belgium, about the evolving landscape of GMO detection in the age of gene editing. From early work in real-time PCR to the latest in next-gen sequencing and target enrichment, Debode has been on the front lines of tracking genetically modified organisms—often when the modifications leave almost no trace.

What’s at stake? In Europe, labeling GMOs is not just a policy—it’s the law. Debode emphasizes that public trust hinges on scientific transparency: “Thanks to correct labeling, people can choose if they decide to eat or not food that is coming from GMOs.”

* 0:00 What led you to GMO detection?

* 4:00 How has your approach evolved?

* 11:00 NGS plus target enrichment

* 16:10 What are you testing?

* 21:00 The future of GMO detection

The conversation dives into the challenges posed by CRISPR and other new genomic techniques (NGTs), which can make single-base edits indistinguishable from natural mutations. “With CRISPR,” Debode explains, “you are not obliged to introduce a large fragment into the genome. You can just modify one base… and in fact, you will have a big effect.”

Debode outlines how CRA-W is adapting its toolkit to these challenges, turning to high-throughput sequencing with target enrichment technology to screen for even subtle genetic changes. He also shares how Belgium and the EU are investing in collaborative efforts like the DETECTIVE project to establish viable detection protocols across a broad diversity of organisms.

The work isn’t just regulatory. CRA-W is partnering with farmers and industry to improve diagnostics, ensure safety in bio-based fungicides, and support sustainability through gene mapping. “We’re not doing this alone,” says Debode. “There’s a strong European network working together to make these tools applicable and enforceable in the field.”

For more from Debode on GMO detection, tune into an upcoming GenomeWeb Webinar here.

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