Scientists from an expert group of the Ecological Society (GFÖ) have launched a petition to protect biodiversity from the risks of new genetic engineering (or new genomic techniques, NGTs). The GFÖ is the largest European association of scientists in the field of ecology. The petition is based on a statement published by the GFÖ several months ago.
The scientists are demanding that NGTs should not be deregulated, especially in regard to wild plants. There are over 300,000 wild plant species. The biology of these wild species and their ecosystems have not been sufficiently researched to apply genetic engineering without endangering biodiversity. In addition, wild plants can often spread more quickly in the environment than crop plants.
The petition references a text adopted by the EU Parliament on the future regulation of plants obtained from new genetic engineering, which states: “NGT plants with the potential to persist, reproduce or spread in the environment, within or beyond fields, should be evaluated with the highest level of scrutiny in respect of such plants’ impact on nature and the environment.”
The scientists are calling on the EU Parliament to defend this position and ensure that wild plants are excluded from any possible deregulation. The background to this is the start of talks between the EU Parliament, member states and the Commission to find a common position on the future regulation of plants obtained from new genetic engineering. If the EU Commission proposal were to be implemented, it would allow over 90 percent of NGT plants onto the market and into the environment, without mandatory risk assessment. The proposal covers all plant species – including wild plants.
Contact:
Christoph Then, info@testbiotech.org, Tel + 49 151 54638040
Further information:
The Ecological Society statement
Further petitions against deregulation of NGT plants:
https://weact.campact.de/petitions/kennzeichnung-und-regulierung-aller-gentechnik-pflanzen-erhalten