[REVISION HISTORY]

Mexico RNA-based biofungicide registration and use

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-08 10:11 UTC → 2026-09-29 23:31 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Mexico has become the first country to register ~~an RNA-based biofungicide,~~ and commercialize a ~~biotechnology developed~~ fungicide based on RNA interference (RNAi) technology. Developed by GreenLight Biosciences ~~that uses RNA molecules to deactivate specific fungal genes.~~ for use on grape crops, the product received approval from Cofepris on August 12, with a permit valid until June 2031. The registration followed a nine-month fast-track evaluation by Mexican regulatory bodies, including Cofepris, Senasica, and Semarnat. To support this technology, GreenLight Biosciences plans to invest between $50 million and $100 million to establish a large-scale manufacturing plant in Mexico City. The company has also indicated plans to submit at least 10 additional products to Cofepris in the coming years, including acaricides and herbicides. While the technology is intended to provide a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides by reducing residues in soil and water, its approval has met with criticism. ~~Opponents~~ Health and food alliances have raised concerns regarding the speed of the evaluation and a lack of shared information regarding regulatory procedures for genetically modified bacteria used in production. Opponents have also questioned the specificity of RNA sequences and the potential for unintended damage to biodiversity, noting that the ~~genetic sequences used to silence specific genes~~ technology might ~~also~~ affect non-target organisms, such as beneficial insects, plants, or other fungi. Meanwhile, the European Union continues to debate the long-term safety of RNAi technology.

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