assess the impacts of the technology!

Assess the impacts!

This project focusses on the systemic effects that genetic engineering can have on agriculture, breeding, health, the environment and nature.

We take into account previous experience gained from the cultivation of transgenic plants (‚old‘ genetic engineering) and look at the high expectations around the use of new genetic engineering (new GE or new genomic techniques, NGT).

We present a number of short case studies and we will add further in near future. The issues include, for example, pesticide use, animal welfare, systemic effects on the environment, patents and also alternatives to genetic engineering

In addition, we will publish background material and reports.

Against this backdrop, a comprehensive technology assessment would first have to be carried out before the introduction of new GE organisms, in order to to distinguish between empty promises and realistic expectations - and to identify any negative effects on breeding, agriculture and food production at an early stage.

If new GE is not adequately regulated, a mass release of genetically engineered organisms can result in further destabilisation of ecosystems and endanger our livelihoods. For this reason, the release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment should be kept to a minimum. As is the norm in other sensitive areas of nature conservation, we should avoid interfering with the environment as much as possible.