Genome Editing: An important tool in our agriculture toolbox

The new breeding techniques are viewed critically in large parts of the population because they are often equated with classical genetic engineering. In July 2023, the European Commission is expected to present a revised directive for genetically modified plants. The new breeding techniques have so far been classified as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) by the ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and regulated accordingly. The significance of the new breeding techniques for the future of agriculture as well as his expectations of the EU Commission are explained by Dr. Oliver Vogt, Member of the Bundestag, in an interview.

Dr. Oliver Vogt MdB expects the EU Commission to take into account the results of the public consultation process and come to a new assessment of the new breeding techniques. Although these techniques are not a panacea, according to the MEP, they can make an important contribution to reconciling agriculture and biodiversity in combination with other innovations. At the same time, policy-makers are faced with the task of combining plant variety protection, patenting and breeder's privilege in order to keep the barriers to entry for small and medium-sized enterprises as low as possible.

The fact that the new breeding techniques are viewed critically by large parts of the population is due to the fact that they are often equated with classical genetic engineering. Therefore, it is important to educate and inform about the differences and potentials of this new method.

The entire interview with Dr. Oliver Vogt MdB: „Genome Editing: Ein wichtiges Werkzeug im Werkzeugkasten unserer Landwirtschaft“ can be read here as a PDF. 

Please note, to date the study is only available in German.