Testbiotech is publishing a new report today on recent developments in genetic engineering and their environmental impacts. We are fast approaching a turning point in history: for the first time ever, because of new genetic engineering methods and tools, such as CRISPR/Cas gene scissors, we have the power to genetically engineer every gene in every kind of life form and spread these genetic alterations to entire species. Furthermore, it is expected that the convergence of biotechnology with artificial intelligence will considerably accelerate this development.
The report shows that deep interventions into the infrastructure of biodiversity with genetic engineering is a threat our future. If we are too careless with these powerful technologies, we could trigger new pandemics, accelerate the extinction of species, destroy ecosystems and endanger our own survival.
So-called ‘outdoor genetic engineering’ is an especially problematic development. This involves releasing organisms into the environment in order to genetically engineer natural populations. The process of genetic transformation is thus being moved from the laboratory directly into the environment. This has now become a global issue: from next week onwards, an international conference within the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will also discuss the risks of ‘gene drives’.
The Testbiotech report calls for the strict regulation of all environmental releases of genetically engineered organisms, which also takes the overall exposure of ecosystems into account.
Testbiotech is expressly warning against the planned deregulation of plants obtained from new genetic engineering (NGT) in the EU: the EU Commission should withdraw the proposal which would, in effect, allow NGT plants to be released and marketed without risk assessment. Business interests in making a profit from the marketing of genetically engineered plants must not lead to future generations having to deal with unmanageable consequences.
Contact:
Christoph Then, info@testbiotech.org, Tel + 49 151 54638040
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