Aktuelles

What is a ‘conventional GMO’?

EU Commission embraces new industry-led terminology

16 June 2021 / Testbiotech is today publishing a backgrounder showing how the EU Commission is trying to establish new official terminology which is set to cause ‘fundamental confusion’ in regulation. Experts with close affiliations to the biotech industry were the first to introduce the new term ‘conventional GMO’ to imply that the methods used in genetic engineering would have no inherent generic risks. This term was then embraced in an EU Commission report without any explanation or justification.

New FGU video explains unintended environmental effects of plants altered by CRISPR/Cas

The Project Genetic Engineering and the Environment explains why the risks need to be examined in detail

The Project Genetic Engineering and the Environment (FGU) is today publishing its third explainer video on CRISPR/Cas gene scissors. The basics of the technology, its possibilities and risks are presented in a series of four videos in total. They focus, in particular, on explaining gene scissor applications in plants. The FGU explainer videos aim to encourage and support informed public dialogue on the new genetic engineering methods, including their potentials and risks.

CRISPR/Cas comprehensively explained / part 2

The Project Genetic Engineering and the Environment provides explanatory videos with information on CRISPR/Cas potential and risks

21 May 2021 / The Project Genetic Engineering and the Environment (FGU) is today releasing the second in a series of videos on CRISPR/Cas gene scissors. The basics of the technology, its possibilities and risks will be presented in four videos. Especially applications of CRISPR/Cas in plants are explained. These videos aim to promote informed dialogue in civil society on the advantages and disadvantages of the new genetic engineering processes.

Keep gene scissors under control!

Appeal to politicians

18 May 2021 / In a joint appeal, science, agricultural, beekeeping and environmental protection organisations have criticised a controversial EU Commission report on the regulation of plants and animals derived from new methods of genetic engineering (New GE, genome editing). They are warning that the report does not sufficiently address the risks to health and the environment - and may well lead to political decisions being made which harm the precautionary principle.