Enabling what is inevitable

Enabling what is inevitable

The opponents of progress are once again in the starting blocks. In mid-April, critics of genetic engineering announced a popular initiative aimed at making any relaxation of the existing moratorium on genetic engineering impossible. The exact wording is not yet known, but the statements made by the exponents make it clear that the total blockade on modern plant breeding is to be enshrined in the constitution.

Thursday, May 9, 2024

For decades, these circles have been able to rely on the administration and politicians: The extension of the moratorium on genetic engineering every X years was almost a ritual act. The initial moratorium became a providurium. But since research with the gene scissors has also made quantum leaps in plant breeding, old certainties have been shaken.

The opportunities offered by targeted genomic breeding can no longer be denied, even in federal Bern, given the challenges of climate change and population growth: The Federal Council recently received a mandate from Parliament to present a draft law this year on how it intends to regulate the authorisation of new plant breeding methods. Such a text already exists in the EU. Plants and seeds into which no foreign genes have been inserted are to be authorised as far as possible.

New breeding technologies should not be left to ideologues

A new regulatory framework is therefore just around the corner. However, as Jürg Niklaus, President of the «Varieties for Tomorrow» association, says in an interview with «Schweizer Bauer», there is still «a lot of educational work» to be done by researchers and breeders. This is essential, especially in view of the initiative mentioned above.

Researchers such as Urs Niggli, organic pioneer and long-standing director of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), have an important role to play here. He writes in the same issue that the topic of new breeding methods should not be left to ideologues: As a natural scientist, he does not understand why the new approaches to plant breeding should be judged differently than past interventions in plant breeding have been. After all, numerous scientific studies show that the risks for humans and the environment with the new breeding methods «are no different or greater than with the established, traditional breeding methods».

In his review article, Niggli speaks plainly: «You can spin it any way you like. New agronomic and technological solutions are also needed to maintain production at a high level and conserve natural resources such as soil, water, air and biodiversity.»

This clear judgement is particularly remarkable for someone who has dedicated his entire research life to organic farming. However, Niggli's article is not a complete rejection of organic thinking: in theory, it is possible to expand organic farming to 50 per cent globally without anyone having to go hungry, he continues. This «organic package» («eat more organic, less meat and leave less waste behind») is basically sensible and it works. «But it cannot be implemented in a free society», which is why it should be removed from the list of possible solutions for feeding the world, says Niggli.


The advantages of new breeding technologies are obvious

One wishes that other exponents of the organic landscape also had Niggli's sense of reality. After all, he writes, particularly with a view to those critical of genetic engineering: «The horror visions fuelled by the concepts of monopolisation, biopiracy, patenting, varieties from the laboratory, pollution through pollen dispersal or monocultures on an industrial scale will not come to pass.»

It is to be hoped that this sober, objective tone will set a precedent in Swiss politics and public opinion. Jürg Niklaus from «Varieties for tomorrow» also sees the first signs of this in an interview with Schweizer Bauer: he senses a certain openness to the new breeding methods as soon as their advantages are discussed. And these are also obvious according to the broad scientific consensus.

Kindly note:

We, a non-native editorial team value clear and faultless communication. At times we have to prioritize speed over perfection, utilizing tools, that are still learning.

We are deepL sorry for any observed stylistic or spelling errors.

Related articles

The Federal Council’s obstructionist policy is harming Switzerland
Politics

The Federal Council’s obstructionist policy is harming Switzerland

At the end of June, the Federal Council published a message about the Gene Technology Act. In principle, the existing moratorium is to be extended until the year 2025.

EU decision in favour of new breeding methods with stumbling blocks
Politics

EU decision in favour of new breeding methods with stumbling blocks

On 7 February, the EU Parliament voted in favour of approving the new genomic breeding methods in the EU. MEPs voted in favour of a corresponding proposal by 307 votes to 263 with 41 abstentions. Further deliberations will now follow.

With false narratives against genetic engineering
New Breeding Technologies

With false narratives against genetic engineering

To denigrate green genetic engineering, narratives that do not stand up to scrutiny keep popping up in the public debate. The aim in each case is political. Recently, the false claims are intended to prevent the regulation of new breeding methods such as Crispr Cas from being technology-friendly.

PFAS regulation in Switzerland: Not faster, but better
Politics

PFAS regulation in Switzerland: Not faster, but better

Some people also call PFAS ‘forever chemicals’. Their use must be regulated as wisely as possible. To do this, the federal government first needs to do precise groundwork, according to Stefan Brupbacher, Urs Furrer and Stephan Mumenthaler.

gfs survey confirms high acceptance of genome editing
Politics

gfs survey confirms high acceptance of genome editing

A large majority of the Swiss population recognises the advantages of targeted plant breeding using genome editing. This is shown by a survey conducted by gfs.bern.

In plant breeding the music plays elsewhere
Politics

In plant breeding the music plays elsewhere

Switzerland is a centre of innovation, but unfortunately this promise has not yet been kept when it comes to the more modern methods of plant breeding. Openness would be a good thing for innovative Switzerland here too.

EU decision in favour of new breeding methods with stumbling blocks
Politics

EU decision in favour of new breeding methods with stumbling blocks

On 7 February, the EU Parliament voted in favour of approving the new genomic breeding methods in the EU. MEPs voted in favour of a corresponding proposal by 307 votes to 263 with 41 abstentions. Further deliberations will now follow.

More contributions from Politics