In many ways, the Canadian and American context is similar. Dominant imaginaries in Canada generally follow prominent American imaginaries: 1) gene editing (GE) is separate from and better than GMOs and 2) GE provides an opportunity to revolutionize agricultural innovation and development. However, popular counter-imaginaries also exist in Canadian media analysis: 1) GE foods are risky for humans/the environment and 2) GE foods allow for continued increase in corporate control of the food system. These competing imaginaries are consistent with findings from studies on trust in the Canadian food system which have revealed a decline in trust. In 2016, 66% of Canadians were confident in Canada's food safety suggesting a relatively high level of trust in food regulators, yet that percentage dropped to only 49% in 2022 (Health Canada, 2016; Vasquez et al., 2022). And even as the Canadian food regulation system is generally friendly to industry/technology, over 50% of the public perceives gene editing of food to be an unnatural process (Busch et al., 2022).
In terms of regulation, Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency oversee gene editing regulation. As a generally product-based system of regulation (rather than process-based), gene-edited food products may be exempt from strict regulations. However, Canada is unique for its Novelty based system which is regulated through Novel Food Regulations and considers each product individually, perhaps better accommodating some of the flexibility needed to regulate gene edited-products. Given Canada's status as the fifth largest exporter of agrifood and seafood, understanding the competing Canadian sociotechnical imaginaries (and regulation) on gene editing has important implications for the global food system.
In terms of regulation, Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency oversee gene editing regulation. As a generally product-based system of regulation (rather than process-based), gene-edited food products may be exempt from strict regulations. However, Canada is unique for its Novelty based system which is regulated through Novel Food Regulations and considers each product individually, perhaps better accommodating some of the flexibility needed to regulate gene edited-products. Given Canada's status as the fifth largest exporter of agrifood and seafood, understanding the competing Canadian sociotechnical imaginaries (and regulation) on gene editing has important implications for the global food system.
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