A form of genetic engineering that enables scientists to make changes to an organism’s DNA. Unlike traditional GEO techniques that may insert genes from unrelated species, gene editing can add, remove, or alter genetic material at specific locations in the genome. In Canada, gene editing is not considered GEO and does not have the same regulation or safety testing, enabling faster release of these new varieties in the market and even less transparency. Emerging independent research on gene-editing technologies like CRISPR shows that there can be off-target effects with unintended consequences. At West Coast Seeds, we do not knowingly buy or sell seeds developed using gene-editing technologies.