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Questions on gene technology and genetically modified plants in general
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What is gene technology?
Gene technology exploits our knowledge of the structure and function of the genes of living organisms. Using specialized (molecular biology) methods, it is possible to turn on or switch off single genes, to isolate them and to introduce them into another organism. Owing to these genetic modifications, the target organism then exhibits new characteristics.
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Where is gene technology used?
Gene technology finds application in many areas.
- In the chemical industry, genetically modified organisms produce various chemical products such as vitamins.
- In medicine, new drugs are produced using gene technology. Insulin, for example, applied in the treatment of diabetic patients, is obtained from genetically modified bacteria or yeast.
- In agriculture, gene technology methods can be drawn on to produce plants with changed or novel characteristics, so as to become for example resistant to a herbicide or infestation by certain insects.
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Is the cultivation of genetically modified plants authorized in Switzerland?
In 2005, the Swiss population adopted the so-called “stop GMO” initiative and thus consented to a moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified plants (GMPs) until November 2010. This moratorium does not affect research. Thus the cultivation of genetically modified plants for research purposes is possible. An authorization issued by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) is however required. If the moratorium is not extended, the commercial cultivation of GMPs will be possible as well after 2011. The relevant legal basis is laid down in the federal law on non-human gene technology and in the ordinance on the release of organisms into the environment. A coexistence ordinance which will regulate the cultivation of genetically modified plants is also in preparation. Until now, three field trials with genetically modified plants have been carried out in Switzerland:
- 1991 and 1992: trials carried out by the research station in Changins (today called Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil, ACW) with virus-resistant potatoes.
- 2004: trials carried out by the ETH Zurich with stinking smut resistant wheat in Lindau/ZH.
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Are genetically modified plants cultivated in Europe?
At the moment, only one genetically modified crop plant is registered in the EU. The so-called Bt-maize produces a toxin against the maize pest called corn borer, thanks to a gene transferred from a soil bacterium.
In 2007, this maize was cultivated over a total area of 110’000 hectares in the EU. This corresponds approximately to the area of the canton of Thurgau. Spain is the leading country in the cultivation of Bt-maize (75’000 hectares, approximately 15% of the total maize crop area). France, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Germany also cultivate this maize variety. The EU member Austria vehemently resists the cultivation of Bt-maize.
In the EU, licensing procedures are underway for additional genetically modified maize varieties, as well as for genetically modified oilseed rape, sugar beet, soya bean and carnation varieties.
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In which other parts of the world are GMPs cultivated?
The main genetically modified crops are soya bean, maize, oilseed rape and cotton, over a total area of 100 million hectares worldwide in 2006. This is approximately three times the area of Germany.
Half of this cultivation area is located in the USA, but Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India and China equally cultivate GMPs on a large scale.
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In which other parts of the world are GMPs cultivated?
The main genetically modified crops are soya bean, maize, oilseed rape and cotton, over a total area of 100 million hectares worldwide in 2006. This is approximately three times the area of Germany.
Half of this cultivation area is located in the USA, but Argentina, Brazil, Canada, India and China equally cultivate GMPs on a large scale.
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Questions on the National Research Programme NRP 59
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What is the use of a National Research Programme on genetically modified plants, considering the fact that there is a moratorium on their cultivation in Switzerland?
The vote on the “stop GMO” initiative has shown that the Swiss population objects to the commercial cultivation of genetically modified plants. The accepted moratorium is effective until the year 2010. Thereafter, it will theoretically be possible to authorize the cultivation of genetically modified crop plants. However, many aspects of the cultivation of GMPs in Switzerland’s small-scale agriculture are unclear, for instance the question of coexistence between the cultivation of plants with and without gene technology. It is also uncertain whether farming with GMPs would be more sustainable and economically more profitable than conventional farming in our country. Moreover, it is not known whether this type of agriculture would be socially accepted and whether it would be profitable for the consumer.
It is the duty of the NRP 59 to help answer such questions and to introduce a scientific foundation into the political decision-making process, for instance into the drawing up of the coexistence ordinance.
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Does the NRP 59 include field trials?
Nine out of a total of 29 research projects have formed a consortium which aims to study the benefits and risks of genetically modified wheat in field trials. One of the questions that need to be answered is whether disease resistances obtained in the laboratory are viable under natural conditions. Undesirable side effects of these plants on the ecosystem will also be studied. Another aim will be to examine how this genetically modified wheat reacts to environmental influences.
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Will not all the trials with genetically modified plants be carried out in the greenhouse?
Trials in the greenhouse can answer many questions which concern the plant directly. However, it is not possible to reproduce the natural environment of the plant, such as the soil, the soil organisms and weather conditions. Field trials are necessary to examine such factors. This is the only means to investigate how the plant behaves under natural conditions and what the possible risks for the environment are. This kind of risk analysis is not feasible in a greenhouse.
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Are projects planned that study the effects of GMPs on human and animal health?
According to the call for proposals, such projects were welcome. A few pre-proposals on this subject were submitted, but none passed the scientific evaluation process by the international experts.
This may have various reasons: medical research is very lengthy and hardly practicable in the five years that the NRP runs. Furthermore, a large number of international studies in this area have been performed, so that it is difficult to formulate novel and relevant questions.
Synthesis studies will be carried out within the NRP 59, in order to gain an overview of international research on the health aspects. Conclusions relevant to the situation in Switzerland will be derived from these studies.
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Does the NRP 59 include projects involving genetically modified maize that is already cultivated?
Yes, such projects are included in the NRP 59. They will examine questions such as the effects of Bt-maize on non-target organisms and soil quality. A large number of projects examining the risks of the cultivation of genetically modified maize (Bt-maize) have been conducted world-wide. The results of these projects have been published and are thus readily available for risk analysis in Switzerland. It is the aim of the NRP 59 to formulate and answer novel research questions.
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Will customer needs and consumer behaviour be examined in the NRP 59?
Yes. Beside agricultural and ecological factors, the behaviour and the decision criteria of consumers are important in determining whether GMPs might be beneficial to Switzerland and whether there is a chance for their acceptance.
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