Construction of Sui Generis Supervision System for Gene-Edited Animals in China

As an important achievement in agricultural sci-tech innovation, gene-edited animals are not only a basic element for rural revitalization but also the core of promoting the biological breeding industry. Exploring their supervision models and institutional construction is practically significant and supports new productive forces in agriculture. Currently, various research and development achievements have emerged, but China lacks clear legal norms for their transformation and food industry supervision, failing to meet modern breeding needs. Internationally, three main supervision models (strict, open, eclectic) are determined by each country’s technological level, legal soundness and public acceptance. To build China’s sui generis supervision system for gene-edited animals that is independent of both GM animals and gene-edited plants, top-level design should issue categorized supervision policies to clarify research and development and industrialization norms, including relevant principles and procedures; establish a pre-positive ethical review mechanism with strict animal welfare checks; set animal welfare damage as a certification revocation condition; build a traceability platform for gene-edited animals and their products; implement positive food labeling; strengthen public participation to balance technological innovation and risk prevention; safeguard biosafety and public interests; and provide legal support for industrialization of gene-edited animals.