Genome editing technologies, particularly those utilizing Site-Directed Nuclease 1 (SDN-1), are poised to transform aquaculture by enabling precise, efficient modifications to traits critical for productivity and sustainability. Traits such as sterility, accelerated growth, and yield can now be enhanced at scale in a single generation, offering clear commercial advantages. Recent breakthroughs in high-throughput genome editing—including somatic cell editing efficiencies exceeding 95% and scalable production of sterile fish—are driving the transition from research to industrial application. However, the path to global adoption is shaped not only by technical success, but by regulatory readiness.
The regulatory status of genome-edited animals, particularly those generated using SDN-1 approaches that do not introduce foreign DNA, varies widely across jurisdictions. While some countries have opted not to regulate SDN-1 organisms as genetically modified, others maintain strict oversight or lack clear guidance—posing potential barriers to commercialization and international trade. For export-oriented aquaculture producers, the regulation of the products of genome editing can directly impact market access and return on investment.
This presentation synthesizes current technical progress in commercial genome editing with emerging regulatory frameworks, and explores their implications for industry adoption, breeding program integration, and global trade. It emphasizes the urgent need for international regulatory alignment to unlock the full potential of genome editing and ensure that innovations translate into sustainable growth and competitiveness in aquaculture.