Washington, DC. USA
February 1, 2013

The National Organic Program (NOP) is pleased to announce a new resource to its program handbook addressing cell fusion in seed production.

In the scientific literature, cell fusion is defined as the fusing of two cells to form a single cell.

In response to inquiries, the NOP developed a policy addressing when cell fusion is considered an excluded method:

• Cell fusion techniques involving recombinant DNA technology or different taxonomic families are considered excluded methods. Seeds produced from these techniques are prohibited in organic production.
• Seeds produced from cell fusion used as part of traditional breeding techniques that do not involve recombinant DNA technology may be used in organic production.

View Policy Memo 13-1
Cell Fusion Techniques Used in Seed Production
 

Website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOPNationalOrganicProgramHome

Published: February 12, 2013