Aktuelles

EU Commission ignores scientific findings on New GE risks

CRISPR/Cas techniques create new hazards

21 December 2021 / Testbiotech has received a letter from the EU Commission setting out its views in relation to new publications on the risks associated with CRISPR/Cas genetic scissors. In their opinion, any hazard potential arising from unintended genetic changes caused by the processes of New GE, is no different to that of conventional breeding. Existing scientific evidence, however, contradicts this view.

Uncontrolled spread of GE oilseed rape: a global problem

Concern in EU Member states

17 December 2021 / A recent Korean publication shows that the uncontrolled spread of genetically engineered (GE) oilseed rape is already happening in 14 countries on five continents. These are countries which either allow the cultivation of GE oilseed rape (such as the USA and Canada), or have tested it in experimental releases (such as Germany), or allow the import of kernels (such as Japan). Moreover, it has to be assumed that there is a high number of undetected cases, as many regions do not have systematic monitoring.

CRISPR patent hanging in the balance

After opposition by Testbiotech: ethical boundaries could be strengthened

3 December 2021 / The European Patent Office (EPO) held discussions on a CRISPR/Cas patent (EP 3401400) from 29 November until 1 December without coming to a final decision. The Nobel Prize laureates, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, are named among the inventors of the patent.

CRISPR patents: where do the ethical boundaries lie?

Hearing at the European Patent Office

25 November 2021 / The opposition division at the European Patent Office (EPO) will be considering fundamental ethical questions from 29 November until 1 December. The reason: an opposition filed by Testbiotech against a patent on CRISPR/Cas gene scissors (EP 3401400), in which the Nobel Prize laureates Jennifer Doudna and Emanuelle Charpentier are involved. Testbiotech is of the opinion that the patent does not exclude human germline interventions or the commercial usage of human embryos as required by law.